Storm fielded two girls and one boys’ team for the development day. The day is not focussed on results but more so on getting as many of the region’s youngest players out and playing basketball.

 

Special thanks must go to those local businesses that supported the day Strathalbyn Pharmacy donated the two raffle prizes, the Strathalbyn Central Sports Shop donated the prizes for the shoot out and IGA contributed through donations for the Barbeque. This local business support is vital when running a day like this and we thank these businesses for support the local basketball community.

 

The Strathalbyn Storm basketball program is focussed on developing and harbouring local Strathalbyn basketballers as they try and reach the next level. If you play within the Strathalbyn district and would like to further develop your skills then investigate coming out to Storm training this Sunday.

 

In particular there is a comprehensive Under 12 program and Murray to Coast is just an example of the work these young athletes do. If you are born in 2001 or 02 and would like to give Storm a go then girls come out on Sunday at 10am and boys at 11am.

 

The day started with the two Strathalbyn girls sides playing each other. Storm had 15 girls that took part in the day, which is a great sign for the strength of the current program and a testament to the work these girls are doing.

 

The girls played in good spirit and while Storm 1 pulled away Storm 2 never gave up. Anna was a leader for the Storm 2 girls while Hayley, Kiara, Abby, Bec, Holly and Emily all contributed throughout the day.

 

For these seven girls it was their first Storm experience and while the scoreboard may not have been flattering the girls got out there and gave it a go. As all of these girls were playing Storm for the first time the day offered a great opportunity to introduce them to this competition.

 

The hope is now that they continue to come out to training and look to improve their skills in lead up to the next Round of the Murray to Coast competition in February.

 

For the Storm 1 girls they had a very successful day. After defeating the Storm 2 girls they had a tough loss to Eastern Hills. The Mount Barker based Hornets had too much height for the Storm girls and were a little too organised.

 

The third match of the day was the highlight of these young girls’ year so far. Only three weeks ago Barossa had comprehensively beaten the girls.

 

It seems a lot had changed in three weeks.

 

Barossa started really strongly and jumped to a lead at half time – from there it was all one-way traffic. Storm’s great defensive team play allowed the girls to stay in the game and gradually peg back Barossa’s lead. Some great coaching by Kristen Phillips saw the Storm girls in the lead by the third quarter.  The girls finished off strongly not allowing Barossa to score any easy baskets and ran out 12-point winners. 

 

Having never beaten Barossa this was a great victory. The Storm girls of Tia, Chelsea, Jess, Kiana, Krystal, Jasmine, Isabella and Myste-Lee should be very proud of their efforts.

 

The Under 12 boys once again fielded a team for the carnival that had spent very little time together. The boys had an improved effort against Murray Bridge, while they started slowly.

 

The match against the Barossa Valley was always going to be a tough after they had already comfortably beaten Murray Bridge.

 

While the scoreboard wasn’t always attractive the boys stayed at it. The team of Cade, Rhys, Harry, Isaac, Luke, Cody, Wil and coach Sam Willis should be proud of their efforts.

 

The important thing for these age groups is that to improve on the weekend’s results they need to get out to training on Sunday and start honing and developing their skills. The Storm 1 girls are reaping the rewards of constantly having numbers to training, we now need the Storm 2 girls and the boys coming out to training as well.

 

It was a very successful day for Strathalbyn Storm and should signal the beginning a new phase in the development of the Under 12s of the district. Local referees also developed their umpiring skills throughout the day to ensure that the basketball community is developing not only athletes but also its referees.

 

Special thanks for the day must go to Kaye Boxer, Sharlene Vears and Deb Weckert for all they did in organising the canteen the barbeque.