Warriors heading to Championships

THIS weekend is one of the most important for Wangaratta’s under 18 boys and girls basketball squads. It’s the Junior Country Championships in Bendigo this weekend, and Wangaratta’s two top age sides are about to go up against the best in the state. Both the girls and boys teams are ranked in the top 16 in the state, and will fight out for glory this weekend. Wangaratta Basketball Inc coaching director Jacqui Henry said this weekend’s tournament was the culmination of their junior basketball careers. “This is what our tournament season leads to, every tournament we’ve played since last September is leading up to this weekend, preparation for this weekend. “On Saturday, they have round games and you play teams that you’ve been allocated to play against, and at the end of Saturday, depending on how many games you win you either end up in div one or div two. “Div one means you’re the best, the top eight teams in Victoria, and div two means you’re within the top 16 in Victoria. “On the Sunday, it’s immediate knockout – if you lose a game, you’re out, but if you keep winning you either win division one or division two.” To have two sides qualify for the championships is a major achievement, one which provides positive feedback for local basketball in the Wangaratta area. “To make div one and two is our aim every year, and both the under 18 girls and boys have done that,” Henry said. “It’s great for Wangaratta because it means our program is doing OK and we are competitive at that level. “If we were able to go all the way, for us, it would mean our program is on the right track and we’re doing the right thing. “The winner of div one boys and girls get to go to the national championships after that against other states. “That shows country towns can achieve, and that would be an outstanding result. “It just gives our athletes the confidence to go on further with their basketball.” Henry and the WBI want to acknowledge and thank their coaches who have helped tirelessly throughout the journey. “Our coaches are volunteers, they travel the state with the athletes to help them achieve – it’s not for their own personal goals, it’s for the athletes,” she said. Wangaratta Warriors take to the court at the Junior Country Championships this weekend in Bendigo.

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