Gems squad for Dallas
Seventeen-year-old Dallas Loughridge knows what it takes to compete on the basketball court, growing up playing against her older brothers in the backyard of their Bena home.
It’s something she’ll lean into when she heads to Canberra this weekend with the Australian under 19s Gems squad for a four-day training camp.
Basketball has been a journey so far for Dallas.
Living in Bena, attending school at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Warragul and training in both Wonthaggi and Dandenong, she spends countless hours committed to the sport.
“I don’t even know how long we travel, probably around 20 hours a week. We drive to Wonthaggi in the morning for training, then school in Warragul then to Dandenong for training in the afternoon,” she said.
After beginning her career with Poowong when she was six, she made the switch to Warragul when she was too old to play juniors and since, Dallas’ passion for the game has only continued to grow.
A year 11 student in the elite sports performers program, she’s able to get her homework completed at school in order to make her training sessions, but her life isn’t without sacrifice. “I do sacrifice a lot. I don’t go to some things but that’s my choice. I love the game so much and I’m lucky to have close friends in basketball and my friends outside of it are so supportive,” she said.
Playing VJBL for the Dandenong Ranges, Dallas has now recently signed with them for the upcoming NBL1 season, but it hasn’t stopped her from returning to play for Warragul.
A member of the Warragul Warriors women’s CBL side, Dallas’ game has continued to shine for the team this season.
“With CBL, I’m playing with a great group of girls and it’s good to get out there and play with them in that competition,” she said.
After being picked for the Australian FIBA under 16 side, she wasn’t able to compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen her set her sights on making the Gems roster.
“I just want to improve my overall game and before the camp just be as mentally and physically prepared as I can to make sure I can give them the best version of myself,” she said.
The squad of 25 will compete for a spot on the final roster which will see them travel to the world championships later this year.
During her career so far, Dallas has had help from many people, but said her biggest support comes from her family, mother Tania, father Matt and brothers Cody and Darcy.
“They’re everything, I honestly wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am without them, they are awesome and do so much for me,” she said.
She’s not just focused on the now either, with dreams of competing at the highest level driving her passion, hoping to one day play for the Opals and eventually in the WNBL or WNBA.
As she continues to travel to all parts of the state and beyond to try and achieve her dream, she still finds the time to return to where it all began.
“Definitely, when I was younger I always wanted to play against my brothers and now we still play a bit of one on one,” she laughed.