SUCCESSES CONTINUE For LAKERS’ JUNIOR BASKETBALLERS
Thirteen Junior Lakers Basketball teams competed in the 2013 Millicent Tournament last weekend.
Four of the teams played off in grand finals and three won their respective title games. The Under 18 Men and Under 16 Girls won Division 1 titles and the Under 14 Boys won a division 3 final, while the Under 12 Girls lost the grand final to Millicent.
The Under 18 Men followed their performances at Murray Bridge as the standout team of the Tournament and hence scored comfortable wins throughout the weekend. They outclassed Portland 74-46 in the grand final. Coach Simon Berkefeld is impressed with the team structures and execution. State Under 18 players Sam Stafford and Stephen Sochacki were well supported by Albury Cup player Braiden Ousey and former Portland player Josh Jenner in a polished display.
The Lakers Under 16 Girls defeated Millicent, 36-27, Hamilton, 54-28, but had their colours lowered by Great Southern, 41-46. On Sunday they easily accounted for Millicent, 40-24, in the semi-final. The grand final was a tough and physical encounter as Hamilton employed defensive tactics to ensure that the Lakers did not take control as they did in their previous game. The Lakers eventually ran out winners 32-26 for the title. Tenille Gray led the scoring, over the weekend, well backed up by Olivia Dukalskis and Lauren Ross.
The Lakers Under 14 Boys’ first team won two and lost three in the Div.2/3 competition. They defeated Naracoorte 39-18 in their opening game, but went down to Bordertown 27-32, Portland 23-27 and Great Southern 15-36.They defeated the Lakers’ second side 43-12 and then went on to defeat Millicent 26-16 in the Division 3 final. Leading scorers for the weekend were Sam Dukalskis and Mitchell Hunter.
The Lakers Under 12 Girls had a tough assignment, playing six games over the two days of the Tournament. They remained undefeated for five games, defeating Portland 25-10, Bordertown 64-1, Great Southern B team 48-2, Naracoorte 40-6 and Great Southern A 38-20 in the semi-final. The Lakers were given a basketball lesson by a tall and talented Millicent team in the grand final in which the final scores were 13-49.
The Lakers Under 16 Boys’ Division 1 side finished top of their Pool, defeating Forestville Blue 28-25, Bordertown 55-25 and Portland 29-18. They scored a comfortable 49-31 win over Hamilton in the quarter final but then Forestville Blue did their homework and turned the tables on the Lakers, 40-22, in the semi-final.
The Lakers Under 16 Boys Division 2 team gave a solid account of themselves in this Tournament. They played well as a team and opened the competition with a strong win over Naracoorte, 50-28.From here on they met tough opposition against first teams of the respective Associations. They drew with Portland 31 a piece, lost to Millicent 34-35 and then lost to Portland 36-48 in a rematch in the semi-final.
The Under 12 Boys side found the going tough in their competition. After going down to Portland, Warrnambool and Hamilton, they finished the weekend with a draw against Great Southern.
The Lakers Under 18 Women drew the stronger Pool of their competition. They finished with draws in both minor round games against Hamilton and Portland and then lost the quarter final to Warrnambool. Hamilton was the winner in the rematch with the Lakers in the Consolation Final.
he Lakers Under 14 Girls Division 1 team made a hesitant start to the Tournament, but then improved in the following games. They defeated Naracoorte easily but went down to grand finalists Millicent and Great Southern by narrow margins.
The Lakers Under 14 Girls Division 2 team played well against tough opposition. They won one game and lost 3 by a few points.
It was unfortunate that there was not a separate competition for the Lakers Under 14 Boys and Under18 Men’s Division 2 sides. They were however determined in their efforts against Division 1 opponents.
The Lakers Under 12 Boys’ Division 2 team gained valuable experience playing despite three of their four games being against Division 1 teams.
The Junior Lakers are now preparing for the City of Mount Gambier Junior Tournament over the weekend of November 16th and 17th.
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