Alex Walker and Josh Murphy are departing Adelaide today for Canberra to attend the under 18 Australian National Championship. They have been selected as part of the SA Country women’s and men’s Basketball teams respectively. The event will begin on Thursday in the nation’s capital and run for a week finishing just before Easter. At the event all States send a team and all main land states send 2 teams a Metro and a Country team along with N T, ACT and New Zealand.

 Alex and Josh have been traveling to training in Adelaide during the last 3 months over 6 weekends. Their commitment to their selection started back in November last year when they tried out and were selected for the SA Country teams that compete at the Australian Country Cup in Albury. They also have been working on their game during the past 8 months in the Millicent town team program and in the Millicent/ State DNSP training program with local coaches. Both players have also been putting in plenty of extra work as well being at the stadium for many hour practicing their shooting, developing skills and maintaining their fitness.

Alex has been to Nationals before and has tasted success having won a Bronze medal last year at the under 16 championship in Adelaide, while Josh will taste a national Championship for the first time.

Alex and Josh are amongst a strong contingent of players from the South East. In the girls team there is Rachel Heinz and in the men’s team there are 5 players Braiden Ousey, Brad Rathjen, Stephen Sochacki, Sam Stafford and Josh Jenner all from Mt Gambier

Both Alex and Josh are home grown players having developed their skills through the Millicent training groups and Town Team programs over the past 7 years. They both have played under 12’s to 18’s in the local competition and have been leading players in the Magic Town Team program conducted by the Association.