Sport
Breakers’ under-16s boys win title, under-12 girls grand finalists at Shepparton tournament
The Benalla Breakers’ junior stars took to basketball courts across the Goulburn Valley last weekend for the Shepparton Junior Basketball Tournament.
The Breakers took eight teams from across four age groups to the tournament, and it was the under-16 division three boys that stole headlines with an unbeaten weekend and grand final win over Mansfield.
Meanwhile, the under-12 division two girls squad cruised through to the grand final but went down to Swan Hill in the decider.
Nevertheless, the girls had the opportunity to play their final on court one of Shepparton Sports Stadium, enjoying what was a big weekend of representative basketball.
Association president Wally Armstrong said win or lose, the highlight of the weekend was seeing the kids enjoying playing basketball.
“The girls had a great weekend and will take so much from the experience of it all,” he said.
“Just to see the smiles on their faces while playing and winning basketball, that was the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, the Breakers’ under-16 division two boys flexed their muscles on the big stage with a blistering grand final win on Sunday.
After a thrilling two-point win in their opening game against Bendigo, the Breakers went undefeated through their next four games with wins over Myrtleford, Deni Giants, Wodonga and Mansfield.
The Breakers secured their trophies with a 28-20 triumph over Bendigo in the decider.
Meanwhile, the under-18 boys were unfortunate to not make it through to the next stage after suffering just the sole defeat in division two to Horsham.
Armstrong said with limited use of facilities in recent weeks, the club had gone to great lengths to put on training and games amidst a busy schedule.
“As an association we’re really proud of young players, parents and coaches, we’re doing our best at the moment with what we’ve got,” Armstrong said.
“We just need a bit of luck now, we’re looking forward to putting our tournament on at the end of Feb, it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year and we’d like to keep it as close to local as possible and use our local stadiums.”
Benalla’s junior basketballers will enjoy a well-earned rest, with a Wodonga tournament, a Junior Country Championships weekend and a home tournament all to look forward to in the new year.