SA Junior Country Basketball Championship finals set to be exclusively live streamed

The state’s top rising hoops stars are set for the SA Junior Country Basketball Championships. Watch our exclusive live stream of 25 games, including selected finals, here on Monday.

Daniela Abbracciavento and Rob Greenwood

3 min read

March 8, 2021 - 2:15PM

The Messenger

Rising basketball stars preparing for the 2021 SA Junior Country Championships, which will be live streamed by The Advertiser. (L-R) Jack Gilbert (Strathalbyn Storm), Rebecca Wagenknecht (Murray Bridge Bullets) and Luke Villano (Eastern Hills). Picture: Emma Brasier

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Luke Villano knows how it feels to taste victory at the SA Junior Country Championships.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LIVE STREAM FROM 8.30AM ON MONDAY

And the rising hoops star wants that feeling again — this time with the under-18s.

Luke will hit the court with Eastern Hills Hornets in the division one competition during this year’s country titles.

He is especially keen to make the play-offs, given all top tier grand finals and other selected matches will be exclusively live streamed by The Advertiser on Monday.

The three-day event will tip off on Saturday, featuring under-14 and under-18 boys and girls teams facing off in a round-robin clashes.

Advertiser subscribers will have access to 25 matches (see schedule below), including boys and girls games from both age groups, across four simultaneous live streams.

Eastern Hills under-18 basketballer Luke Villano. Picture: Emma Brasier

It follows our exclusive broadcast of the 2020 SA Junior Basketball Championships in October.

Luke, 15, believed his team had what it took to secure glory.

“We have won a few times and have also come runner up a few times, which is a bit disappointing,” Luke, of Bridgewater, said.

“The latest one was the 2018 under-14 final and it certainly makes me hungry to win another.

“We are aiming for that top spot and I hope we get there, but we’ll see how it goes.”

The event will feature 23 regional associations from as far afield as Mount Gambier, Bordertown, Broken Hill and Kangaroo Island.

Luke, also part of Eastern Mavericks’ under-18 club side, started playing basketball when he was about nine.

The point-guard’s favourite player is former Adelaide 36ers and current Brisbane Bullets star Nathan Sobey.

Luke said Monday’s live stream would give players an opportunity to showcase their skills to a wider audience.

“I think it’s good so more people can watch the games and see what it’s like,” the Heathfield High Year 10 student said.

Strathalbyn Storm under-18 rising star Jack Gilbert ahead of the 2021 SA Junior Country Basketball Championships. Picture: Emma Brasier

Jack Gilbert will take to the court with Strathalbyn Storm in the under-18 action.

The 16-year-old was selected in the SA Country squad last year, while playing club hoops for Sturt.

But he is yet to sample success in the showpiece regional tournament.

“Hopefully we can win the grand final,” Jack, of Strathalbyn, said.

“I think the live stream will help promote it more and get people who can’t be at the games watching.”

SA Country Basketball executive officer Patrick Di Lizio said more than 235 teams and 2500 players, coaches and referees from all over the state would take part in the championships.

“(It’s) the pinnacle event for the calendar, including associations all the way from Port Lincoln to Mount Gambier to Roxby Downs,” Di Lizio said.

“Having the grand finals streamed live is an amazing showcase of our country talent for all to see and a great opportunity for the regional families to tune in from home, particularly this year that we have spectator limits to adhere to due to COVID.”