SA Junior Country Basketball Championships under-12 and under-16 players to watch (SA Country Championships)
SA’s young top regional basketball talents will take to the court this weekend at the Country Championships. See the players to watch in our exclusive live stream.
Live Stream
Don't miss out on the headlines from Live Stream. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It is a breeding ground for regional talent and now SA’s top young players from Port Augusta to Mount Gambier are set to hit the court at the under-12 and under-16 SA Junior Country Basketball Championships.
Ahead of the titles, which will be live streamed on The Advertiser website on Sunday, we’ve picked out more than 20 rising stars to watch.
More than 20 associations from across SA plus teams from Mildura and the Northern Territory will descend on Adelaide for the championships.
The live stream will feature three simultaneous broadcasts of 28 games from courts at St Clair, Morphett Vale and Wayville on Sunday, March 27 – including six grand finals.
It follows on from a successful start to the tournament a fortnight ago which involved live coverage of the under-18 and under-14 competitions.
WATCH THE LIVE STREAM HERE FROM 8AM SUNDAY
U16 PLAYERS TO WATCH
KOBE GIBSON (MILLICENT)
A dynamic, athletic point guard with the ability to control the entire court, Kobe’s vision and assists to his teammates make him a pivotal member of Millicent’s under-16 boys division one side.
The Magic will be relying on the 14-year-old, who possess a name made for basketball and is also a state footballer, to lead the way as they hunt the championship.
FREDDIE WILSON (SOUTHERN YORKE PENINSULA)
Minlanton 15-year-old Freddie Wilson is strong at both ends of the court with a good shot and speed his primary weapons.
The SYP under-16 boys division three player recently won the local competition’s best player trophy after impressively polling in every game of the season.
MACKENZIE BURKE (NARACOORTE)
Mackenzie is a member of the Mount Gambier Pioneers development squad and has also been in the Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy for the past two years.
The talented 13-year-old will represent Naracoorte in the under-16 girls division two tournament at the championships as she endeavours to take her basketball as far as she can.
CODY CORBETT (PORT AUGUSTA)
Recently selected in the SA Country under-16 boys state team who will be heading to Perth in July to compete at the Australian Junior Championships, Cody will be looking to continue to make an impact this weekend.
The Eagles Basketball Club product possess strength, speed and athleticism.
PENZY HOCKING (STRATHALBYN)
She is just 14 years old but Penzy has experienced playing against senior opponents alongside her under-16 girls division one teammates in Strathalbyn’s weekly women’s A grade competition.
Will be a big asset to the Storm this weekend with her trademark defensive pressure sure to make opposing sides uncomfortable and put them on the back foot.
Recently gained selection in the SA Country under-16 girls state team for the Australian Junior Championships.
LILY BAXTER (GREAT SOUTHERN)
An exceptional athlete and strong leader, Lily has impressed at Great Southern with not only her play on the court but her maturity and basketball IQ.
The 15-year-old from Saints Basketball Club will lead the Slammers’ under-16 girls team in the division one competition.
Lily co-coached one of Great Southern’s under-14 girls teams this season and is also an accomplished footballer.
ETHAN MACDERMOT (EASTERN HILLS)
After his Eastern Hills side went down to Mildura by one point in last year’s Country Championships, Ethan will be driven to go one step further in 2022.
The talented young Hornet was one of the leading scorers last year with 134 points and is also a member of the SA Country under-16 state team.
Ethan hopes one day play for Australia and also follow in his uncle’s footsteps and head to the US to play at college.
ELLA HUMPHRYS (PORT AUGUSTA)
Another Port Augusta product picked in the SA Country under-16 state team for nationals, Ella will be one to watch in the girls division one matches.
The 14-year-old from Spartans Basketball Club has a soft touch around the basket and a willingness to make her teammates better.
HENRY PEDLER (MOUNT GAMBIER)
Hailing from Panthers Basketball Club, 13-year-old Henry is a tremendously competitive and physical player with a consistent hunger to score around the basket.
He will represent Mount Gambier in the under-16 boys division one competition and will bring a tough defensive presence and a strong all-round scoring ability to the Lakers.
STEAVI GALE (WHYALLA)
A product of Titans Basketball Club, Steavi has experience at a strong level after being picked for the SA Country under-15 team and playing at the Adelaide Invitational in January.
The 13-year-old will run out for the Steelers’ under-16 girls division two team at the Country Championships.
JACK PIKE (ADELAIDE PLAINS)
Jack is just 14 years old but has already represented Adelaide Plains at under-18 level in the first stage of the Country Championships earlier this month.
After not looking out of place at that level, the Balaklava Basketball Club product will look to impress once again with his ball skills and ability to finish off a layup.
HUDSON LINDER (BAROSSA VALLEY)
Hudson is a strong scorer who plys his trade for the Tanunda Echoes and will represent Barossa Valley’s under-16 boys division one team this weekend.
The 15-year-old made the SA Country state team last year as a first-year player and has recently been selected again for the side heading to nationals.
KRYSTAL THOMPSON (PORT AUGUSTA)
Kystal, hailing from Spartans Basketball Club, should make plenty of opponents in the under-16 girls division one draw nervous with her speed, athleticism and terrific ability to read the play.
Has also gained selection in the SA Country under-16 state team for nationals.
KAI EDWARDS (WHYALLA)
From Roopena Basketball Club, Kai will be one to watch for Whyalla’s under-16 boys division two outfit.
The 14-year-old player was selected in the SA Country under-15 team and competed at the Adelaide Invitational earlier this year.
U12 PLAYERS TO WATCH
HALLE YOUNG (ADELAIDE PLAINS)
Hailing from Balaklava Basketball Club, Halle Young is one to watch for Adelaide Plains in the under-12 girls division three competition.
The 10-year-old has exceptional skill level with the ball in her hands.
RILEY CLIFFORD (GREAT SOUTHERN)
Riley is not only a developing young leader but also shows signs of the impressive ability to make his teammates around him better.
The 10-year-old Great Southern player can score as well as create opportunities for others and will look to be a driver for the Slammers’ under-12 boys division one team.
LIVVY FAULKNER (MILLICENT)
Millicent’s Livvy Faulkner is an up and coming player who possess great ball skills.
The 10-year-old, who will represent the Magic in the under-12 girls division one tournament, regularly top scorers for her team at tournaments and dominates her age group in the local competition.
JAYDEN MUMFORD (STRATHALBYN)
A point guard who is a scoring threat while also being able to run the team on the court, Jayden will look to lead Strathalbyn to a deep tournament run.
The 10-year-old will represent the Storm in the under-12 boys division one competition.
HENRY KENNADY (EASTERN HILLS)
With great game awareness, scoring ability and a willingness to rebound the ball, Henry is one to watch for Eastern Hills.
The 11-year-old will be one of the Hornets’ leaders in their under-12 boys division one matches.
PIPER LUCAS (MOUNT GAMBIER)
An enthusiastic and relentless guard, Piper harasses opposition players with her quickness and endurance.
The 10-year-old, who will represent Mount Gambier in the under-12 division one competition, will look to use her skills to beat her opponents around the floor and to the basket.
NED PEGLER (STRATHALBYN)
Ned Pegler will be a key player for Strathalbyn’s under-12 boys division one side.
The point guard, who also plays for Eastern Mavericks at district level, has great aggression and organisational skills on the floor.
*All associations were contacted to submit player nominations.
The under-12 and under-16 SA Junior Country Basketball Championships will be broadcast live on The Advertiser website from 8am on Sunday, March 27.
To watch, follow this link to the live stream.
REPLAYS: Australian Junior Hardcourt Tennis Championships, Day 6
The top seeds put on a show of collective strength to dominate the final day of one of Tennis Australia’s flagship junior tournaments. Check out all the REPLAYS from the week-long event.
Read more
Live stream: SANFL Girls Intrastate Carnival, Day 1
Glenelg, Woodville-West Torrens, North Adelaide and Central Districts are all up as one of the SANFL’s flagship girls events kicks off. Catch four games LIVE on Tuesday. Check the schedule.
Read more