THE representative basketball season is winding down, but there was still plenty of action on courts across Benalla and Wangaratta on the weekend. The Benalla tournament was held between the towns, which saw the end of the season for seven of the Warriors’ basketball teams. It also marked the final time top aged under 18 boys Jacob Saunders, Tom Wiedemann, Seth Saunders, Riley Robinson and Ollie Nash-Webster suited up as a junior Warrior. The under 12 boys defeated Wodonga and Albury, but fell short against Seymour, Shepparton and Mansfield. The under 14 boys started the weekend with a 24-24 draw against Shepparton and followed it up with big wins against Yarrawonga and Albury. They finished the weekend with a close three-point loss to Benalla. The under 14 girls defeated Deniliquin, Shepparton, Euroa and Albury and drew with Mansfield Blue seeing them finish on top of their pool and book a grand final berth against Mansfield Gold. The young Warriors battled bravely, but Mansfield Gold were too strong, seeing the Warriors fall short. The under 16 boys White squad were up against Shepparton, Corryong and Benalla, playing Shepparton and Corryong twice. In a strong sign of improvement, they played their best basketball of the season, defeating Corryong in their first game of the weekend. The under 16 boys Green team were undermanned and brought up Samuel Patterson, Eli Kain and Sam Lewis from the under 14 boys team, who all fitted as if they were part of the team all year. The Warriors were able to get a win and a draw from their five games. The under 16 girls came up against Yarrawonga, Mansfield Blue, Mansfield Gold, Deniliquin and Wodonga, and came away from the weekend with two wins. The under 16 boys division one side, who are preparing for their state championships in three weeks, challenged themselves by playing in the under 18 division one section. Against older and much more experienced opposition teams, the Warriors fought hard, with the highlight of their weekend seeing them come back from nine points down at half-time, to snare a thrilling one-point win over Tatura. The under 18 boys, playing against Euroa, Tatura, Yarrawonga and Wodonga, won two of their games, which included their first win of the season over Yarrawonga. Wangaratta Basketball Inc. president Adam Maher said it was an emotional ending for some of the players. “For our 16s and 18s that was our last official tournament of the season, while the 12s and 14s have the Wangaratta tournament coming up. “It was emotional for some of the 16s and 18s, it’s all come to an end now. “The coaches were really happy with how the season ended up, and thought the Benalla tournament was a really good ending for those athletes from where they started at the start of the season. “There’s some progression, the players have enjoyed themselves, and we’ve got a chance at getting them back next year.” The under 16, under 14 and under 12 boys and girls division one teams have their state championships during March and April, while the Warriors will formally celebrate their season with their presentation night at the end of March.
