SA U16, U18 Metro girls create history at national basketball championships

SA basketball could be set for a major boom in success after two state sides achieved a historic feat in last month’s national championships.

South Australian basketball is preparing for a boom in success after a historic month for the state at national level.

SA’s U16 and U18 Metro girls teams both won gold during this year’s national championships, held in Perth, marking the first time two of the state’s sides have won the championships in 30 years.

The U16s remained undefeated throughout July’s tournament, defeating Victoria Metro to claim gold, while the U18s won all three of their match-ups to come out on top of their April tournament.

Basketball SA high performance manager, Scott Butler said the achievements were a credit to the work the state had continued to put in at national level.

“Winning two national championships in a year has not been achieved by SA Metro since 1994,” Butler said.

SA's U16 players celebrate their historic gold medal finish. Picture: Basketball SA

“The recent gold medals by our U16 girls combined with the SA Country U16 boys’ silver medal run last month show that SA continues to punch well above our weight on a national stage.”

U16s coach Tom Helbig – a long-time senior coach with Southern Tigers – said major success had been on the cards for a number of years in SA.

“With the utmost respect for the talented athletes in other states, I’m confident in the potential 0f South Australian basketball,” Hilbig said.

“SA teams are perennially competitive at Australian Junior Championships, there are a number of talented athletes beginning their NBL, WNBL and Centre of Excellence journeys, and I hope we’ll be celebrating more national representatives in the near future – the standard has been set and success is no accident.

SA's U18 girls celebrate after their April success. Picture: Basketball SA

“Before the tournament I felt this was my most enjoyable coaching experience to date and then to win gold on top of that makes it unforgettable. The individual growth among the playing group was noticeable as well, which extends beyond basketball and in to forging new friendships, building self-confidence and emerging as leaders.”

Aspen Crase and Kiera Gardiner were standout players throughout the recent U16 championships, producing winning basketball on both ends of the court.

Both players believed they would benefit from the success and use the experience to develop their games.

“I love that this is something that will be remembered and be part of history that future SA basketballers can look up to,” Crase said.

Aspen Crase and Keira Gardiner after SA's U16 nationals win. Picture: Basketball SA

“To get the opportunity to play against the best at such a high level of basketball is really crucial in our growth as basketballers and as a team it was awesome to come together, play and improve with other players we normally play against.”

“The experience was incredibly important as it reinforced the fact that hard work eventually pays off ,” Gardiner added.

“I think the success we had shows that young SA basketballers have the potential to compete with the very best and can continue to bring home gold medals in the future.”