State team for Dallas and Georgia
Two Warragul basketballers have been selected in the Victoria Country U16 Girls State team for the Australian under-16 Junior Championships to be held in Queensland in July.
With the team recently announced by Basketball Victoria, 14 year old athletes Dallas Loughridge and Georgia Koopmans are the only bottom age players chosen in the under 16 Vic Country state team, which is made up of 10 players from across Country Victoria.
Head-coach Joe Turner said he again expecting his team to be a strong contender.
“We have players that can fill a variety of different roles and play an up-tempo, exciting brand of basketball that suits our Victoria Country system and style of play,” he said.
“They have the ability to play tough on both sides of the ball and take as much pride in their ability on the defensive side as the offensive.
“The skillset across the board of all positions shows the great depth and balance of the age group.
“I’m really excited about the potential for our group to be balanced throughout the roster.”
It’s an exciting selection for the two girls, who have played together for the Warragul Warriors since they were 10years-old.
Both Georgia and Dallas also attend the same school, St Paul’s in Warragul, where they are a part of the Elite Sports Performers Program which helps the girls to juggle their rigorous sporting commitments with their schooling.
Making the state team has been 10 months in the making, with both girls completing the Basketball Victoria Country 12-week Regional Academy Program. Selection for Golden Nugget followed, the selection for the U15 Southern Cross Challenge and then the invitation to compete at the state combine to vie for selection in this under 16 Country Vic team.
The girls now add training for the state team to their hectic schedules but are very excited about the opportunity and experience they will gain playing at the Nationals.
“We are very excited to be a part of a very talented squad and to learn from the experienced coaching staff” the girls said.
“We are looking forward to the challenge, it really is an honour to be selected and it will be fantastic to share this experience with each other.”
Selection into the Vic Country State team tops off an exciting year for both girls, who were also chosen earlier this year as bottom age players in the Dandenong Rangers under 16.1 team. That team has just qualified for VC in the Victorian Junior Basketball League season.
The girls are also a part of the Country Victoria NITP High Performance Program.
Thursday tennis
Rubies and Pearls top the Warragul Thursday women’s tennis ladder following victory in round one of the winter season.
Results: Pearls 4/32 d Diamonds 2/27, Rubies 5/37 d Emeralds 1/26, Sapphires bye.
Ladder: Rubies 7, Pearls 6, Sapphires 4, Diamonds 2, Emeralds 1.