The Mount Gambier Basketball community was well represented by six Mount Gambier Lakers junior teams in the Bendigo Junior Classic Basketball tournament over the January long weekend.

The U14 boys and girls and U16 girls competed in the division 1 competitions while the U16 boys, U18 boys and U18 girls all played in the Championship division.

Both U14 teams had strong tournaments finishing top of their pools after the minor rounds, the girls would eventually fall to the eventual champions Geelong United in the semi-finals. They played the last game without Georgia Gentile who sustained an injured wrist in their contest with Portland. The Boys side managed to go undefeated through the whole tournament finishing with a 13-point win over the Wangaratta Warriors, Kade Allen finished with 15 points and MVP of the Grand Final.

The U16 Girls side had a successful tournament making it through to the grand final after going undefeated in the group phase of the tournament including a tightly fought draw against the Colac Kookas. The Grand Final went the way of the home side the Bendigo Braves by 6 points.

Three sides competed in the Championship division of the tournament and were met with some tough opponents and learnt many lessons. The U16 Boys side had a contrasting day one comfortably defeating Portland before running into a slick Ballarat side that would eventually make it through to the Grand Final. The boys finished with a 2 and 3 record across the tournament and gained the opportunity to play against some great talent.

In a bid to find something extra for the tournament the majority of the U18 men’s side opted to wear head bands, team manager Brad Norman disappointed he could not find one to fit. The team had a strong start to the tournament winning their first two games, the opening game included a 22-point outburst from Ethan Norman. The next two games would be much tougher against some real quality opposition in Horsham and Warrnambool. The boys defeated Sunbury in their final game on Monday to finish with a 3 and 2 record for the weekend.

The U18 Women’s side made I through to the semi finals against the home side Bendigo who went on to comprehensively beat Ballarat in the Grand Final. The Lakers side put on a shooting display in the quarter final round against Shepperton making 12 three pointers, Tara Bryant with seven of her own! It was a spirited start to the semi-final the Lakers side showed some real toughness to stay with Bendigo in the first half of the semi however the depth of talent of the Bendigo side was too much in the end.

A great experience for the Mount Gambier sides to compete against some different teams and tough competitions. The Bendigo Junior Classic was a great experience for the Mount Gambier Junior Lakers teams to develop and enjoy the sport of Basketball.