Basketball Australia U18 Nationals, Kevin Coombs Cup live stream: NSW Country girls eye gold medal (U18 & Kevin Coombs Nationals)

After coming close last year, NSW Country girls are again in title discussions for 2023 - and facing their state metro rivals in the decider would be extra special. Catch 119 games LIVE from Saturday.

No Isla Juffermans this time but confidence remains high in the NSW Country U18 girls camp ahead of the national basketball championships, which begin this weekend in Brisbane.

Juffermans, the MVP at the recent U20 Championship in Geelong, was one of the inspirations behind the bronze medal-winning team in 2022, scoring 27 points in the decisive game against Queensland North.

But the team still features five players from 2022 and head coach Adam Marjoram likes the balance he has at his disposal this year.

Their push for gold starts on Sunday against one of their toughest early rivals, Victoria Metro at 3pm (AEST). You can catch that game, and 118 more, on KommunityTV’s exclusive live streaming of the tournament.

SEE THE FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE BELOW

An incredible eight days of action starts with Saturday night’s Origin-style boys opener between Queensland South and NSW Metro.

It’s been a while since the Country girls claimed the title, with their last coming in 2006, which was their second in as many years.

However, Marjoram said he’s not putting too much pressure on the girls.

“We want to be in the gold medal match, but so does every other team,” he said.

Jade Crook gives NSW Country plenty of scoring punch.

“So we’ll go with that focus of getting into the final, and continue to get better every match.”

Half the 2022 team is back for their top-age campaign, with Maitland’s Lara Dobbins and Trelise Kirkby, Newcastle’s Hannah Chicken and Illawarra’s Charlotte Giles, along with squad member Timeeka Coleman, from Albury Cougars, all selected.

That means five girls have moved up from the 2022 U16 side, including Albury Cougars scoring machine Jade Crook who impressed in last year’s national competition with 12.38 points-per-game.

Marjoram said the underage girls had to prove themselves to make the team.

NSW Country star Lara Dobbins.

“We had to pick the 10 best girls who could get to the competition and compete, and that’s what we’ve got,” he said.

“Everyone’s fighting for their position, whether it’s a starting spot or their own role within the team.”

Despite being in separate pools for the initial stage of the competition, Marjoram said the NSW Metro team will be the ones to beat.

“A NSW versus NSW gold medal match would be amazing, and, for us, they’re always the team to beat,” Marjoram said.

“Victoria Metro, South Australia Metro and Queensland South will also be tough challenges, I think, given last year’s results.”