ON THE BALL GREEN AND GOLD TARGET FOR BOY
TOWNSVILLE young gun Samson Froling will try to cap a stellar fortnight of basketball by earning his first callup to wear green and gold.
Froling, 15, heads to Canberra for an Australian under- 17 camp where he aims to secure a spot in the nation- al junior team for the world championship qualifiers in New Zealand later this year.
He will be under the watchful eye of Australian coaches and it would make for a great few weeks after helping Queensland North to the under- 16 nationals championship in Ulverstone, Tasmania last week.
It was the first time the Queensland North team, made up of players from Cairns south to Bundaberg, has won the national title.
Former Townsville player Sam Haughton, now based in Mackay, was also on the team which was managed by Townsville’s Carl Ward.
Froling averaged 17.2 points at 48 per cent, 11.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists, rank- ing him in the top 10 for points and rebounds.
Froling said it had been an enjoyable week and they were pleased to realise one of their team goals.
“We had a good group of boys and we all played really well,” he said.
Froling said he hoped to follow in the footsteps of siblings Harry, Keely and Alicia, who have all played for the Australian under- 17 team.
Townsville players also featured in the under- 16 Queensland North team, with Hayley Andrews, Majella Carey and Alexandra Fowler helping the team to a seventh placed finish.
Claudia Brassard was coach, with Mark Wrobel and Mike St- Maurice.