SA girls under-18 basketball side claims first national under-age title since 1990
It’s only taken three decades, but SA Metro’s U18 rising stars have claimed a national title over fierce competition interstate. See how they did it.
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It has taken three decades but South Australia’s rising female hoops stars have finally won a national title.
SA Metro’s under-18 girls won the 2021 Australian Championships this month.
The side defeated Vic Metro 76-64 at Eagle Stadium, Werribee, Victoria earlier this month.
It was the first time SA had triumphed at a national championships in that age group since 1990.
Co-captains Tayla Brazel (24 points, eight rebounds and two assists) and Izzy Borlase (22 points, 16 boards and five assists) led the way for SA’s drought-breaking championship team.
First year senior coach Katherine McPhail was proud of her side and said the players deserved the victory.
“It’s a dream come true for these kids,” McPhail said.
“It’s what they train for, so it’s very exciting.
“We had done the work and played all the tough games before hand.
“I am absolutely proud and it’s a real testament to these kids who have really worked hard for a number of years.”
SA led by three points at the first break but the Victorians fought back and took a 33-32 advantage into halftime.
The Croweaters then wrestled back the ascendancy to be in front 6-53 at the end of the third period and managed to keep hold of the lead until the final siren.
McPhail praised the efforts of Borlase, who is the daughter four-time Port Adelaide premiership player Darryl Borlase and former Australian netballer Jenny Borlase.
“We didn’t have Izzy leading up to the tournament for preparations because she was at the Australian Institute of Sport,” McPhail said.
“But she really came in and became part of the team.
“We had her for Easter so we had a couple of trainings over Easter where we were able to get through our offensive and defensive stuff so she could learn it pre tournament.
“She’s a phenomenal athlete, you give her a task and she rises to the occasion.”
The 2020 national championships were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but this year 26 teams featuring the country’s best junior boys and girls basketball players were able to take part.
McPhail said the players were grateful to be involved after last year’s competition was culled.
“We knew it was going to be a tough draw but we were pretty lucky in some ways that we weren’t in the same position as some of the other states with lockdown,” McPhail said.
“Long term (this win) puts us in good stead for these players who want to go on to the next level.
“I know a few of them are looking at going to college in the future so hopefully this puts them on the chart for possible Australian team selections and camps.
“I think there’s a couple like Tayla, Izzy and Jess (Simoms) who are probably on the radar of WNBL teams, too.”
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