FOUR talented Bathurst under 12s basketballers enjoyed an important part of their junior development program when they took part in the recent Tamworth Country Jamboree.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Twins Hannah and Ruby Dunn, Sienna Tangaroa and Lachlan Micarlos were the Bathurst participants who were part of an 80-strong junior group containing some of the brightest country NSW prospects.
In one of their first major developments camps the group went through training drills and plenty of match time to help further their game.
Bathurst basketball co-ordinator Paul Masters said the four participants were taken out of their comfort zone during the program and asked to really test themselves.
“They met new people and were able to be identified by new coaches. It’s a great format because you don’t play with any players from your own association," he said.
“They played six to seven games and stayed over at a boarding college. It was a fun experience for them because that’s not something they’d normally get to do.
“The group would go through three training sessions all up and then start playing. You see a lot of kids from under 12s here go on to play for NSW like [Bathurst’s] Matilda Flood and Olivia Doble have recently.”
Masters is full of praise for the Bathurst group.
"The twins are tough players and the youngest of five, so they’ve all been through the system before. Usually the youngest ones have been around the game for the longest time and have had plenty of time to develop their skills,” he said.
“Lachlan broke his arm in the middle of the year and he only got back just before trials, so for him to get selected to go to Tamworth is a great achievement. Sienna is such a strong player and she's still got plenty of growing to do.”
The action doesn’t stop for Bathurst basketball players.
Trials for the NSW Country junior squads will be taking place this weekend with several Bathurst juniors expected to take part.
Girls trials will be held at Minto and boys trials at Wollongong as juniors attempt to find a spot in the sides, who take part in the Australian Junior Country Basketball Cup this coming January.
Masters expects up to 10 Bathurst basketballers to be involved in the trials.
The Australian Junior Country Basketball Cup takes place in Albury for 14s, 16s and 18s while 15s and 17s play at Newcastle.