Basketball Australia Schools Championships live stream: Meet the ACT students taking part

Lake Ginninderra College and Erindale College are both sending teams to the Basketball Australia Schools Championships on the Gold Coast. We profile the teams ahead of the huge tournament.

After a two-year hiatus, Basketball Australia’s Schools Championship is back, with the ACT well represented in the tournament.

Both Lake Ginninderra College and Erindale College will be sending teams to the tournament, which kicks off on the Gold Coast on Monday, November 28.

You can watch their progress over the five days of the tournament LIVE on KommunityTV. More than 127 games will be live streamed, with more than 70 teams from all over Australia and New Zealand taking part.

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Ahead of the first championships in three years, we’ve previewed the ACT teams below.

Lake Ginninderra College

An absolute powerhouse in the competition, Lake G is participating in the championships for the 30th year.

Highlighting its status as one of the big hitters of Australian school basketball, the school will be sending teams in both the men’s and women’s championship divisions, with both considered genuine contenders for the title.

The school has won the men’s title seven times over the years, while the women’s team has won it twice.

That could have even been more if not for Covid, with virus-related disruptions over the past two years preventing former Lake G students – and current superstars – Josh Giddey, Jade Melbourne and Tyrese Proctor taking part in the tournament.

MEN’S TEAM – CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Lake Ginninderra College's boys basketball team that won the 2022 ACT Intercollege Championships. Photo: supplied.

Lake Ginninderra’s men’s team will go into the tournament as reigning champions following its 2019 victory, with the school having featured in the last three championship division finals.

Even though the school will be without Boomer Alex Toohey, the 2022 side certainly isn’t short of firepower, with Australian under 19 Emus player Lachie Smith, Cameron Pender and Bowyn Beatty all in the squad.

In fact, it’s a case of continuing a wonderful family legacy for Beatty, an NBA Global Academy Athlete who mother Tracey Peacock was an AIS scholarship holder and former Lake Ginninderra College player.

“Our men’s team have been preparing well for the tournament and hope to retain the championship division title,” says Chris Jones, the Lake Ginninderra’s manager for the tournament. “They have qualified for the last three finals in the championship division and return with coach Jason Denley in charge.”

Team list

Lachlan Smith

Che Peters

Mason Bruce

Frank Afor

William Goodwin

Toby Davis Lyon

Spencer Musgrove

Bowyn Beatty

Cameron Pender

Alexander Culver

WOMEN’S TEAM – CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Lake Ginninderra College's girls basketball team that won the 2022 ACT Intercollege Championships. Photo: supplied.

While the school’s women’s team might not quite have the same record as the men’s team over the years, they arguably have the best chance at claiming the title this year.

Led by Isla Juffermans, who was recently named MVP for the Australian under 18 side during the Asian Cup tournament in India, the team has plenty of strike power.

A heavy scorer, Juffermans could well be in the running for the tournament’s top-scorer award.

Another one of the team’s under 18 Asian Cup representatives is power forward Jess Petrie, who is following in the footsteps of her mother Sarah Petrie (nee Berry), who was also an AIS scholarship athlete.

“Our women’s team have dealt with some challenges in the build up to the tournament, but have gelled together nicely over the past few weeks,” says Jones.

“Our girls want to play entertaining basketball during the week, inspire the younger girls coming through and hopefully play off for a medal.”

Team list

Alison Francis

Keira Mapley

Monique Emelifeonwu

Mailey Cunningham

Isla Juffermans

Jessica Petrie

Laura Topp

Ilijana Matijevic

Erindale College

Another mainstay of the championships, Erindale will this year send a men’s under 20 division three team to the Gold Coast in what is the school’s 25th year of participation.

The school, which has a strong sports program of its own, also has a strong record in the tournament. A girls’ team won the championships in its early days, while other female teams have claimed bronze and silver medals in various divisions since.

Ahead of the tournament, we’ve spoken to coaches to preview Erindale’s team below.

Erindale College's under 20 division three basketball squad that will compete in the 2022 Australian Schools Championships on the Gold Coast. Photo: supplied.

UNDER 20 DIVISION 3 – MEN

Anthony Blazevski

Works hard on the boards and takes pride in locking down opponent’s star player. Gives 100% from start to finish of the game.

Ryan Crampton

Not the biggest in stature but someone forgot to tell him. Despite being a laid back country boy who is a calming influence in the team environment, he doesn’t shy away from physical aspects of the game.

Jackson Crowe

Outstanding two-way player. Crowe, who plays in the Sydney Ultimate Basketball League, is just as comfortable lighting up the scoreboard as locking down his opponent.

Ryan Crowe

Stretch defender who can sweep the boards with the best of them when locked in. Reliable from three-point range, which means he can cause plenty of match-up problems.

Tarik Ezzat

Can get the scoreboard turning over in a hurry and a nightmare for opponents to contain in the open court. He represented ACT in the School Sport Championships in 2022 and was awarded MVP in the Basketball ACT Junior Premier League.

Tom Griffiths

The big body of the team with deceptive speed and agility, Griffiths thrives on the hard work in the paint and can score from range if left open.

Ngakau Hunia

One of the fastest in the team with a basketball mind to match. Opponents best keep their hand up if Ngakau is anywhere near the three-point line. He plays in the Sydney Ultimate Basketball League and represented ACT in 2022.

Toby Ridley

Upcoming leader in the team and one of the best at reading defensive weaknesses in opponents. A keen basketball mind who listens and implements instructions from the coaching staff, he has worked hard on his shooting technique and can now score from all parts of the floor.

Abraham Riley

A real handful at both ends of the court. His height, ball-handling ability and scoring prowess often present opponents with a tough puzzle to solve. Another of the team’s ACT representatives and a great teammate who is respected by all squad members.

Alex Sweeney

Intense competitor who gives his all in every role. His combination of speed and strength ensures that his opponent will have their hands full. In addition, he always puts team goals ahead of individual ones and never makes excuses.