Live stream: Mackay Meteors ready to make most of chance at Basketball Australia U14 Club Championships

‘We were so upset, it was literally shattering.’ Mackay thought they had lost their U14 Club Nationals chance - but they got a last-minute reprieve. Discover their danger players. Watch them LIVE on Sunday.

Last year, the Mackay Meteors girls team won silver at the Basketball Australia U14 Club Championships.

This year, their boys have the opportunity to go one better.

“It’s a rare occasion,” mused coach Francis Moala on the gravity of qualifying for the national club championships.

And the Meteors only did it by the skin of their teeth at that.

Catch them LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV at Casey Basketball Stadium in Melbourne from September 24-29.

The coverage is part of a groundbreaking two-year partnership between KommunityTV and Basketball Australia, which includes coverage of all national underage championships.

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Despite winning gold at the North Queensland Junior Basketball Championships with an 11-1 record, they stumbled in the bronze place play-off at the State Championships, falling short of Gold Coast.

“We didn’t play well on the day… we were so upset, it was literally shattering” conceded Moala.

Not only did Mackay miss a state medal, they missed the chance to qualify for the national club championships.

Mackay Meteors U14s enjoying their time on the court.

Or so it thought.

A late withdrawal opened the door for a wildcard spot, and it’s an opportunity Moala believes has “lifted the whole community.”

Yet despite their status as a late inclusion, Moala’s side won’t simply be making up the numbers.

The Meteors have upped their training to four times a week to make up for lost time since finding out they’d won the wildcard spot eight weeks ago, and eight of their 10 players are in the 40-man Future Development Program - the most of any Queensland team.

“I definitely think we can make the top-eight (of 24 teams) and make the quarter finals,” Moala said.

Sam Osborne has a big role to play.

Caleb Cassells is 'the best hustle player’.

“They’re twice as better as what they were at state titles, just due to the fact that once we got the call-up they’ve been training so much.”

As for the Future Development Program: “Usually we got one, maybe two, kids. To have eight is astounding,” he said.

“That’s how stacked with talent this team is, I believe we can go out there and do some damage.

“We just want to represent Mackay well and replicate what the girls did last year.”.

Meteors danger players

The U14 Meteors have a dynamic quartet of future NBL1 Meteors that’s set to spearhead their hopes for national glory.

All four players have averaged between 10 and 12 points this season, and Moala believes having that many players consistently hitting double digits could be another key asset that sets his team apart.

Sam Osborne

Position: Point guard/shooting guard

“He’s a guy that has a lot of potential, due to the fact he has quickness and athleticism at the highest level for a guard,” Moala said.

“That makes him very versatile and hard to guard, he leads from the front in our point-scoring, he beats the defence one-on-one, (opposition) need to rely on help to defend him otherwise he’s gonna score a bucket at the rim everytime.”

Mackay Meteors U14 player Archie Roney. Picture: Supplied

Archie Roney

Position: Small forward/power forward

“He‘s a versatile three/four player, very athletic,” Moala said.

“His drive and motivation is one of his biggest assets. He always gets angry at himself for his mistakes and holds himself to the highest standards.

He’s tall, solid, he rebounds well and hard which is where he gets his points from. He’s really fast in transition, he’s getting ahead and scoring points at the rim everytime, that’s what makes him dangerous.

“He’s a very intricate part of the team, he plays the most minutes due to the fact he’s the fittest and fastest.”

Such is his athletic potential, Roney’s also represented Queensland in long jump.

Caleb Cassells

Position: Small forward/power forward

“He’s a kid that has raw potential, he’s a three or an undersized four,” Moala said.

“His specialty is he’s the best hustle player in all of basketball. He gets a hand on any shot, I don’t know how he does it, he’s in the right spot at the right time, he has a great sense of where the ball’s meant to be and gets his hand on any rebound.

“Even if it’s not his board, he’s getting there, he’s the first guy diving on the ground, he’s the bravest kid I know.

“He has the will and determination like no other, he gets points just for rebounding and trying.”

Mackay Meteors U14 team. Picture: U14 Mackay Meteors Facebook

Parker Coleman

Position: Centre

“He’s probably the most versatile centre in the whole league,” Moala said.

“He has guard handles, he can shoot the ball, he’s very quick, he’s got good post moves, he’s very tall, but very skinny which enhances his guard skills.

“Very special due to the fact that you take away one thing he can do another thing. If you take away his drive he’ll shoot the ball, if you take away his shot he drives, you put him in the pot he can outpost due to his skillwork.

“He has the footwork and agility to get around in the post. He rebounds well, very dynamic, probably the second-most important player in the team behind Sam Osborne.”