Live stream: Ballarat Miners set to play big role at Basketball Australia U16 National Championships

Victoria Country got their BA U16 Nationals girls and boys campaigns off to a flying start in front of a parochial home crowd in Bendigo on Saturday. Catch up on both the REPLAYS.

An incredible first half performance has paved the way for an impressive start for Victoria Country boys at the Basketball Australia U16 National Championships on Saturday night.

Playing in front of a parochial home crowd in Bendigo, Vic Country raced out to a 50-15 against Tasmania, only conceding three points in a dominant second quarter, before eventually winning 90-48.

The Tasmanians did enjoy some success, winning the third quarter 17-14 as Vic Country took the foot off the gas, but the hosts regained their composure in the final quarter as Riley Dilges and Dashiel Smith found their range.

Victoria Country v NSW Country (Girls)

Jada Button held her nerve to score the last six points of an increasingly fractious match as Victoria Country girls rallied to take down NSW Country 54-48 in the opening match of the BA U16 National Championships in Bendigo.

The Geelong young gun stepped up with the scores locked at 48-48, first nailing two free throws before landing two lay ups. She also picked up a key defensive rebound.

NSW Country moved out to 48-45 lead midway through the final quarter on the back of a 16-point haul from Dubbo’s Tully Pickering and 16-rebound performance from Addison Bonham, but they couldn’t put their opponents away.

Both teams back up on Sunday to play their second games. Vic Country face Queensland North while NSW Country play Northern Territory.

PREVIEW

For the first time since Geelong played host in 2014, the Basketball Australia U16 Nationals are coming back to regional Victoria.

The Red Energy Arena at Bendigo is the venue for seven-day, 100+ match tournament that features the best young players from around the country.

BA U16s National Champs HUB: Daily links, key info, full schedule

And to celebrate the honour, Victoria Country will be tipping off proceedings as part of a massive double header on Saturday afternoon.

The girls start against an impressive-looking NSW Country in a tricky opener at 3.30pm.

Vic Country finished sixth last year, but led by current Ballarat Miner Jaz Shelley 10 years ago, they picked off some impressive scalps, including NSW Metro.

WHO’S HEADING TO BENDIGO FOR U16 CHAMPS?

Shepparton’s Charlotte Ogier will be playing in her second national titles in two months. Ogier represented Victoria in April as part of the 15&U side at the national netball championships in Frankston.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER DAY’S ACTION, USE THE LINKS BELOW TO WATCH LIVE

The boys take on Tasmania at 5.15pm. A brilliant final victory over South Australia Metro ensured they finished fifth in 2023.

Every match of the Basketball Australia U16 National Championships will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV from July 6 to 13.

Check out the full LIVE STREAM draw below.

Miners dig deep to help Victoria Country cause

If Victoria Country has success at the Basketball Australia U16 National Championships, it could come with Ballarat playing a major role in it.

Out of the 12 selected for the boys team, four - Joseph Buckle, Lucas Byrne, Oliver Cape and Riley Dilges - come from the Ballarat Miners.

All of the action from the Basketball Australia U16 Nationals will be available to stream LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from Saturday.

According to Vic Country coach and Ballarat coaching director James McKinnon, all fit into the system of what is needed in the team.

“They all are starters here in Ballarat and all have their own unique play style and ability,” he said.

“When you are putting together a state team they fit the moulds we are looking for.”

McKinnon said each would provide their own benefit to the team.

For Cape and Byrne, it is work rate and energy.

“Lucas, he’s been a perennial player in his age group for a long time,” McKinnon said.

“He does everything without being told to do everything.

Ballarat Miners star Eliza Ashby.

“He’s the workhorse of the four, I would say.

“He doesn’t stop until the team wins the game.

“(Oliver) comes in and does all the little stuff. He is an energy guy off the bench, or on the court.

“He’ll dive for the loose balls and try to get the offensive rebounds.”

The other two, Buckle and Dilges, will provide valuable shooting options to the team.

“Riley can shoot the ball pretty well,” McKinnon said.

“His skillset is going to be the ability to defend the ball, shoot the open three and get some easy buckets.

“For Joe, he’s a real old school point guard, but has learned to help facilitate the team.”

McKinnon said all four would compliment the 12 well.

“These kids have all been playing together for the past three or four years,” he said.

“I think if you look at all 12 of them and the way the system is put in place, it’s a whole group cohesion, not just the four Ballarat boys.”

Ballarat will also have a presence in the girls Vic Country team.

Eliza Ashby will represent the Miners at the tournament.

“We’re super excited for Eliza, it’s an awesome opportunity for her,” McKinnon said.

“She’s a great talent, she has an ability to get to the ring with ease and is an elite offensive and defensive rebounder.

“She’s been working hard on a lot of other aspects she doesn’t have.

“Her ball handling and shooting has come along way these past six months.

“She’s be super effective come tournament time.”

Originally published as Live stream: Ballarat Miners set to play big role at Basketball Australia U16 National Championships