The 2022/2023 Millicent Magic Basketball Town Team competitions tipped off over the October long weekend.
This season Millicent will field up to 14 junior teams, with seven carnivals set down to complete the season.
The opening carnival saw the young players head to Murray Bridge, with some mixed results for the four sides that attended.
The best of those were the Under 16 Girls Division 1 side, which won the carnival after some tight, impressive performances under the tutelage of Peter Seebohm.
The Magic opened the weekend with a 29-23 win over Mount Gambier, before defeating the host side 34-14.
They easily accounted for Yorke Valley 32-11, then defeated Naracoorte 36-23 and advanced to the grand final.
The final game of the weekend saw the Magic take on Yorke Valley, with Millicent off to a strong start, up 10-4 at the first break.
The Magic’s defence was strong, but Yorke Valley put up fight, with both sides racking up fouls in the physical contest.
A timely 3 pointer from Piper Paul put the magic back on track, with a 21-14 lead at the main break.
In the final term some disciplined play from the free throw line from, as Paul, Asha Gysbers and Mati Fauchelle made their shots to help secure the 28-24 win.
Meanwhile, the Under 14 Girls Division 1 side finished runner-up after some mixed results from the round games.
The girls were well coached by Andrew Thorne, kicking their campaign off with a 28/21 victory over the Hornets in a tough contest.
The Magic then claimed a strong 38-10 win over Mount Gambier, with another solid effort over Yourke Valley for a 34/12 victory.
The final round game saw the magic go down 21-17 against their eventual grand final opponent Strathalbyn, which saw both side advance to the main game.
Another tight contest ensued, with the Magic falling agonisingly short, going down 37-35.
Top scorer was Lucy Crowe.
Millicent’s U14 Boys Division 1 side found the going tough, unable to secure a victory.
Minimal training and a new roster made the going tough, with only two top-age boys in the side.
However, some good offensive plays in the key showed some promise for the season ahead.
Brody McDonald improved over the weekend in his first town team experience, Campbell McMullan showed some impressive offensive skills.
Ari Robins top scored with 55 points across the carnival.
Results: Mount Gambier 48 d Magic 21; Slammers 51 d Magic 33; Murray Bridge 38 d Magic 17; Strathalbyn 37 d Magic 27; Hornets 87 d Magic 8; Yorke Valley 44 d Magic 15.
The Under 14 Boys Division 2 side also faced an uphill battle.
Some strong opposition proved too much for the young Magic players, but they continued to fight throughout the weekend.
Brax Thomas top scored for the weekend.
Results: Hornets 88 d Magic 8; Slammers 57 d Magic 15; Mount Gambier 47 d Magic 12; Murray Bridge 72 d Magic 10.
