Top performers from Basketball Qld U12 Boys, U14 Girls State Champs revealed
The stars who shined brightest at the Basketball Queensland U14 Girls and U12 Boys State Championships have been revealed in our All-Star and MVP selections. SEE WHO MADE IT
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Dynamic scorers, incredible athletes and lockdown defenders – the next generation of talent certainly showcased the bright future ahead at the most recent Basketball Queensland junior state championships.
With the Cairns Dolphins claiming the Under-14 Girls title in Mackay and the Logan Thunder winning the Under-12 Boys State Championship on their home floor at the weekend, we thought we would recognise some of the impressive performances at the tournaments.
Both of the tournaments were livestreamed by NewsCorp.
While several players with massive stat lines were selected, the tournament’s All-Star Five (with a sixth player), also includes players who contributed to their team’s success in other ways.
A Most Valuable Player was also selected for both tournaments.
See the selections below.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS U14 GIRLS
Cheyenne Bobongie – Guard (Mackay Meteorettes)
A point guard with playmaking ability beyond her years, Cheyenne Bobongie helped lead her Mackay team to a grand final appearance on their home court, recording impressive wins over the Logan Thunder and Southern Districts Spartans along the way. Averaged 18.43 points per game for the week, including her tournament-high score of 32 against South West Metro.
Isabel Smith – Guard (Mackay Meteorettes)
A dynamic forward who formed a tough duo with Cheyenne Bobongie, which proved challenging for any team to limit at the tournament. Had several impressive games at the championships, including 23 points in the semi-final and 17 in the grand final against Cairns.
Taryn Bond – Guard (Cairns Dolphins)
The leading scorer of the tournament, who led the Cairns Dolphins to the state title, averaging more than 20 points per game for the week in Mackay, Bond’s highest score for the tournament was 33 points in the semi-final victory over the Logan Thunder. A talented guard who has a bright future ahead of her.
Olivia Olechnowicz – Guard (SD Spartans)
Another one of the tournament’s many versatile talents who can do it on both ends of the floor, Olechnowicz helped lead her Spartans team to the top four at the tournament. She averaged 16.57 points per game, which was the third-highest for the week, and had two 20-point games along the way.
Mia Nakata – Guard/Forward (Logan Thunder)
One of the top defenders at the State Championships, Mia Nakata played a massive role in the Thunder’s tournament where they claimed the bronze medal. Using her athleticism and length, Nakata is a mobile and versatile defender, who also averaged more than 11 points per game in Mackay.
Sixth Player: Leah Pearson – Guard (Cairns Dolphins)
One part of the dominant backcourt duo for the championship-winning Cairns Dolphins, alongside Taryn Bond. Leah Pearson was huge on both ends of the floor for the Dolphins, averaging almost 13 points per game for the tournaments as Cairns took home the title.
MVP: Taryn Bond
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS U12 BOYS
Trae Dombroski – Centre (Logan Thunder)
The best big at the tournament and one of the most dominant players at the championships, alongside Gold Coast’s Cooper McGregor, Trae Dombroski had a tournament to remember. Not only dominating at the offensive end, averaging 22.7 points per game, Dombroski also anchored Logan’s defence and was a rebounding machine as the Thunder went all the way to winning the title.
Cooper McGregor – Guard (Gold Coast Waves)
Gold Coast guard Cooper McGregor was huge all tournament for the Waves as his team claimed a silver medal. McGregor was the tournament’s leading scorer at 26.43 points per game, including 38 points against Rockhampton in the pool stages and 23 in the grand final. The son of former NBL player, Scott McGregor, Cooper proved he is a talent to watch in the future.
Izak Mayen – Forward (SD Spartans)
A talented forward who was the fourth-leading scorer at the tournament at 19.57 points per game, Izak Mayen helped lead the Spartans to a semi-final appearance and ultimately a bronze medal. Had a tournament-high of 33 points against Logan Thunder Gold and 19 against the Brisbane Capitals in the bronze medal game.
Matt McGrath – Guard (Logan Thunder)
The skipper of the championship-winning Logan Thunder side, Matt McGrath may not have been one of the biggest scorers at the tournament but contributed in many ways to help his team win a state title. Often taking the challenge of guarding the opposition’s best scorer, McGrath proved to be a tough defender, rebounder and orchestrator of Logan’s offence.
Dusty Gurney – Guard (NGC Seahawks)
A crafty and dynamic playmaking point guard who can score, facilitate and control the tempo of the game, Gurney had an impressive tournament, scoring at 21 points per game, which was the third-highest at the state championships. His best scoring games, included 32 points against the Southern Districts Titans and 20 against the gold medal-winning Logan Thunder.
Sixth Player: Adam Habchi – Guard (Brisbane Capitals)
A player who can fill it up on the offensive end, Capitals guard Adam Habchi helped take Brisbane to a semi-finals appearance, where they fell to Gold Coast and just missed out on a medal in the bronze medal game. Habchi had 15.86 points per game for the tournament, including a high of 27 points against the Spartans in the bronze medal game.
MVP: Trae Dombroski
**These selections were made by NewsCorp sports journalist and basketball reporter Brayden Heslehurst, who is also head coach of the Logan Thunder NBL1 women. The selections for the U12 Girls will be made following the grand final in Townsville.**
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