The Mount Gambier Lakers season has come to a close much sooner than we all would have hoped for however the U14 and U18 sides managed to get complete their last tournament at the SAC Junior Country Championships in Adelaide in early march.

The most improved junior Lakers awards are awarded to athletes who show hard work, commitment and enthusiasm for their own development as well a providing a strong contribution to their teams.

Under 14 Henry Pedler was awarded the 2019/20 most improved junior male, Henry is a player that has improved in leaps and bounds this past Lakers season. Henry who is a regular at Basketball Mount Gambier’s’ development sessions was a member of the Lakers U14 Boys Division 3 side that was coached by Jason Humphries and Tim Boxall. Henry was rewarded for his hard work by playing in the division one side for the Bendigo side, a tournament that the Lakers side would go on to win!

Henry thoroughly enjoyed his Lakers season ‘I got to play with my friends and meet new ones, winning gold with the division team in Bendigo was a highlight.’

Henry made a real contribution using his size to affect opposition teams shots and to rebound the ball, his effort would always make his teammates better, Henry does not seem to want to slow down ‘Basketball is my favourite sport I want to play as much as I can, my goal is to learn how to dunk!’

Macey Griffith of the division one U14 girls’ team has been awarded the 2019/20 most improved junior female, Macey has continued her improvement in many aspects of the game and is becoming a fierce competitor on the court. Macey loves to play basketball and being part of the Lakers program, ‘I enjoy playing with my teammates, we had a great team of girls who all got along well together.’

Macey earned the award through her hard work at trainings and development sessions, ‘I feel very lucky and proud to receive the award, I enjoyed improving my skills and putting them into practice during games.’

As a player Macey is becoming a great athlete with a tireless work ethic, she is a great teammate and from all reports a coachable player, Macey had some people to thank for her progress so far, ‘I would like to thank my coach Matt and past coaches that have helped a long the way, also my teammates and especially thank my mum and dad for taking me to all trainings and games!’

Both players are showing great strides as young athletes to becoming future stars, we wish them nothing but the best for their future goals and aspirations.