The players to watch at the Basketball Victoria Junior Country Championships

The future of regional Victorian basketball is set to be on show at the next round of the Junior Country Championships. Here are the key players to watch.

The next generation of stars from regional Victoria are ready to strut their stuff.

The best under-16 and 18 country teams are set to descend on Traralgon this weekend for the 2023 Basketball Victoria Junior Country Championships for Divisions 3, 4 and 5.

Over two days of action, teams will battle it out for the right to be known as regional Victoria’s best.

Here’s a look at some of the key players to keep an eye on.

Stella Brakels, Mansfield

Has a strong basketball IQ and great cour awareness. Can make shots from anywhere.

Max Campbell, Mansfield

Campbell has the ability to take control of any mid-court with his great court awareness, fantastic passing ability, and unselfish play. He can drive and finish at the rim with the best of them, but his real talent lies in his ability to rack up assists for teammates at an alarming rate.

Archie Chadwick, Maryborough

A talented ball handled who will play a key role for the Blazers under-16s. If he has the opportunity, he’s more than capable of hitting shots from deep.

Grace Cleaver, Hamilton

Cleaver plays every position on the court, and wants the ball in her hands when team needs to score. She is a terrific athlete, and is difficult defend in transition. If she gets the ball in the open court, she can score with ease.

Harry Crane, Bellarine

A creative point guard that gets in the key regularly to collapse the defence. His passing ability gets teammates wide open looks. Decent finisher and has a solid 3pt shot to make him a difficult cover. Defensive able to win 1v1 battles effectively.

Harry Crane has been named a key player for Bellarine.

Jack Davies has been named as a key player for Bellarine.

Jack Davies, Bellarine

An athletic forward with a crafty ability to finish at the rim. Effective off both the dribble and in the post. Passing ability is a great trait of his and opens up many different scoring avenues for his teammates. Defensively long and able to change shots.

Jess Dolling, Mansfield

A high competitive centre who also has the ability to play any position on the court.

Cooper Driscoll, Maryborough

One of the leaders of Maryborough’s under-18 boys team. Those close to the team describe him as an “athletic rebounding machine”.

Oscar Henwood, Warragul

Henwood has a fierce hunger for the contested ball while leaving nothing out on the court. First time representing his association at the JCC.

Oscar Henwood has plenty of talent.

Logan Howell, Maryborough

The under-16s star runs the floor well for his height. Like the modern day big man, he can hit shots from inside the paint and beyond the arc.

Chaz Jones, Bacchus Marsh

A strong guard who is physically dominant at both ends of the floor and has excellent playmaking instincts with the ball. Jones is a sneaky and disruptive defender.

Reet Kaur, Hamilton

Selected for the state development program, Hamilton is a tall and mobile player who is dangerous close to the ring, but also a threat from 3. She plays with instinct on the defensive end, picking off opposition passes, and makes it hard for them to score in the paint with her long reach.

Jack Marks, Mansfield

Has speed to burn, and one of the best fakes in the business. Watch out if he gets fed the ball early on transition offence, as you’re probably going to struggle to shut him down. With constant defensive pressure, Marks can turn the ball over, and change a game’s momentum.

Reece McGrath, Bacchus Marsh

A multi skilled wing/forward that can do a bit of everything, highlighted by his excellent cutting and defensive rebounding. Winner of the 2022 Herald Sun Victoria’s Best Mullet competition.

George Morgan, Warragul

The agile big man cuts a powerful figure on the court. A proven scorer, dangerous inside and out on the arc. His strength and speed can break a game open.

George Morgan has the ability to turn a game.

Demi Murray, Mansfield

Point guard who is strong in all aspects of the game. Highly determined and a great defensive player.

Cooper Newton, Wangaratta

Played in the under-16 Victorian team last year and is an emergency for the under-18 side this year as a bottom age player. A dynamic wing/forward who hits threes consistently but is also a strong finisher at the rim. He can handle the ball and also take bigger players to the ring from the perimeter and is a strong defensive player.

Lauchy Pickering, Mansfield

Pickering is one to keep an eye at the Champs, with his tall body and extra long arms. He can be a rebounding force, and/or a blocking God. Lauchy has a great free throw percentage, and is a fantastic shot from the corner.

Jaspa Robinson, Mansfield

A big who can play a versatile position in all roles while being a strong finisher under the rim.

Holly Rook, Hamilton

An impressive shooter from all three levels. Brings plenty of intensity and positivity to the floor when she steps out on the court.

Saskia Should, Hamilton

A dominant presence inside the paint and consistently brings a never say die attitude to her team.

Jack Skinner, Maryborough

Leave Skinner open and you’re most likely going to regret it. The sharp shooter does so much more than score though, he will consistently put his body on the line for his club.

Noah Smith, Warragul

Long range sharp shooter with basketball smarts and the ability to tactically work the floor and set up open shots for his teammates.

Leah Storer, Mansfield

A mid-range shooter who can finish under the basket with ease while being a lockdown defender on positions small to tall.

Ky Swards, Maryborough

The under-18 Blazers’ floor general. Swards will control the pace of the game and will look by example on both ends of the floor.

Bailey Wilson will be key for Bacchus Marsh. Photo: Supplied.

Bailey Wilson, Bacchus Marsh

An athletic guard with natural scoring talent, who is also a crafty passer around the rim. A fiery competitor who consistently puts his “body on the line” to win possessions.

Campbell Wood, Maryborough

The ultimate team player who can impact games on both ends of the floor. Expect him to thrive in the big moments.

Originally published as The players to watch at the Basketball Victoria Junior Country Championships