THE end of the representative basketball season is nigh, with Wangaratta’s under 14 sides off to the Junior Country Championships in Ballarat this weekend.

After all the hard work and lead-up tournaments, the under 14 Wangaratta Warriors girls and boys side will take on squads from around the state to prove they are the very best in their final tournament for the season.

Day one sees the boys up against Macedon Rangers, Ararat and Leongatha, while the girls face Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale and Colac.

The results of day one determines which division they will play off for on day two.

Wangaratta Basketball Inc. coaching director Jacqui Henry said strong results would be a fitting reward for months of hard work.

“All the tournaments we’ve played in since last September are leading to this weekend,” he said

“They will all play each other on Saturday in certain divisions and then they will figure out where they sit in Championship or Premiership, then on Sunday they will play for the finals, and Monday will be the actual grand finals.

“It’s a huge commitment.

“The athletes, their families, the coaches have all committed, and it would be great to see the best results possible for all of the commitment they’ve put in.

“You never know what you‘re coming up against when you’re playing all country teams in the state, but hopefully we’ve done enough to prepare them to be able to compete at a great level.”

The under 12s will head to their Junior Country Championships tournament next weekend in Bendigo.