"Improvement" across the board for Warriors

EIGHT division one junior Wangaratta Warriors representative teams tackled Shepparton’s division one and two tournament on the weekend. While no teams reached grand finals, three teams reached semi-finals and the under 18 boys made a quarter final. The u12 girls started their weekend with losses to Swan Hill and Mansfield and drew with Bendigo 2, seeing them head into a quarter final against Bendigo 3. Warriors held a 15-4 half time lead and while Bendigo 3 challenged them in the second half, the Warriors held on to win 21-16. A rematch against Bendigo 2 in the semi-final unfortunately saw the young Warriors outplayed by Bendigo 2. The u12 boys’ opening two games saw a one-point loss to Shepparton and an 11-point loss to Bendigo, but they responded strongly with an 11-point win against Wodonga on Sunday morning. They finished the weekend with a 40-all draw against Swan Hill which saw the Warriors just miss out on making it through to the grand final. And in the u14 boys, they had wins over Wodonga, Swan Hill and Mansfield, however a one-point loss to Griffith saw the boys miss out on a grand final berth. Warriors coaching director Jacqui Henry said there was improvement across the board over the weekend. “It was a good weekend, very enjoyable,” Henry said. “While it mightn’t had been a good weekend on the scoreboard, there was massive improvement within all of the teams which was great to see – especially at this point in the year. “There was significant improvement from all of the coaches as well, their ability to change things up and look at different options was very pleasing. “We’re really looking for improvement so that we’re ready for Bendigo and those bigger tournaments.” Now at the halfway point of the representative season, Warriors teams are turning their attention to Country Championships. The division one and two Country Championships will be held in Bendigo in February, while divisions three and four will go ahead in Bacchus Marsh in March. “The goal for me is I would like to see as many of our sides make division one and two Country Championships,” Henry said. “It’s a hard one for people to understand but grading for champs are decided on where that team finished two years ago so if they didn’t do too well back then, then they won’t make div one and two. “If you think your side has improved since then you can put a submission for your team in and they will see how competitive you’ve been and make a decision on whether to accept or not. "For us, we have had both the under 16s boys and girls put in a submission, as well as the under 18 girls so hopefully we’ll hear on how their submissions go in the next week or so. “Our under 18 boys have been accepted into div one of the champs and they’re seeded sixth in the state which is a great effort. “I really hope the other three teams are accepted as well.” Henry praised the sportsmanship of all players and coaches over the season thus far. “I think it’s important to mention that all players and coaches have been really respectful on and off the court,” she said. “I’ve had other associations comment on how respectful we play the game and the respect we show other teams so it’s a credit to Wangaratta and a credit to the players, coaches and parents.”

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