YOUNG BALLERS SET TO STAR

THREE of Geelong’s emerging basketballers from three different clubs are expected to impress when they hit the floor for Vic Country at the Australian Junior Championships.

Hamish Carey, Declan Coles and Maggie Kratochvil will head north to the University of the Sunshine Coast for the titles, where their elite training and for some, senior experience, is sure to turn some heads.

National Intensive Training Program head coach and Lady Supercats coach Dave Herbert said the players each had the talent to lift their team to success.

Hamish, who plays for the Supercats under-16s, and Corio Bay star Declan are on the radar for upcoming SEABL or Big V honours and expected to star at the competition.

“Hamish is about 195cm and is a tremendous athlete. He can take over a game when he’s in the right mindset,” Herbert said.

“Declan is more of a small forward or off-guard, and has an ability to knock down a three consistently and that’s something he’s worked really hard on in his two years in the program.

“Both have enormous potential. They’re both great athletes who display great skill and have the just reward of being selected in the Vic Country team.”

Maggie, a Bellarine Storm and Supercats point guard, has perhaps put in more time than most travelling from Bacchus Marsh to train and play, and Herbert expects her big minutes in Big V competition to pay dividends.

“Maggie’s an exciting young point guard from Bacchus Marsh who travels down and has a tremendous work ethic, probably the best I’ve seen from a young player, and that holds her in great stead for the future,” he said.

“She’s really going to turn some heads at the nationals because she plays so hard. I’m expecting huge things and I’m sure she’ll deliver.”

Corio Bay coach Joel Anderson is the head coach of the Vic Country boys for the tournament, which runs from July 6-13.