Live stream: Queensland North girls ready to impress at Basketball Australia U16 National Championships

‘We’re a very fast-paced team for this age group.’ They picked up bronze in 2023, now with six players backing up, does 2024 promise even more for Queensland North at the BA U16 Nationals? See them LIVE from Sunday.

Queensland North girls will look to blow their rivals away with their up-tempo style of play at the Basketball Australia U16 National Championships starting this weekend.

Coach Mitchell Langford is in his first year at the helm and is confident the team can replicate, if not improve on, their third placing of last year.

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

Check out the full LIVE STREAM draw below.

Queensland North is one of 13 girls teams competing, and opens their campaign against Victoria Country on Sunday.

South Australia Metro, Tasmania, New South Wales Country, Western Australia Country and Northern Territory round out Pool A, while Victoria Metro, New South Wales Metro, Queensland South, Western Australia Metro, South Australia Country and Australian Capital Territory are in Pool B.

BA U16 NATIONALS HUB: All the info, full schedule, daily links

Langford has worked with players at the elite level as assistant coach of NBL club, the Cairns Taipans, but said he was relishing his role as coach of the north’s up-and-coming talent who were keen to make their mark at nationals.

Gun trio Eden Catip, Lily Mapp and Isabel Smith will be key for Queensland North.

His outfit includes six girls who were part of Queensland North’s bronze-medal win last year.

“It’s an exciting young group with a lot of ability,” Langford said.

“They’re definitely ready to get to the nationals and show everyone how good they are.

“We’re a very fast-paced, highly skilled team for this age group that has the ability to shoot and put a lot of pressure on the rim.

“I think we’re going to be able to play at a really high tempo that’s going to be hard to keep up with for 40 minutes.”

Langford said all 11 players would have to play their part, but shooting guard/wing Isabel Smith, point guard Eden Catip and centre Lily Mapp would be instrumental in the team’s campaign.

He said his players thrived in a competitive environment and were outstanding athletes, with their skills not limited to basketball.

Queensland North are r4eady to make an impression in Bendigo.

Townsville’s Macey Lahrs is a Queensland rugby league player, while Mackay’s Skye Vaughan has earned Australian honours in field hockey.

Langford said that despite the tyranny of distance limiting their training opportunities, his players had forged a strong bond and understanding of each other’s style of play at their four training camps.

“They’re a great bunch of girls to work with, they’re very coachable and keen to learn,” he said.

“It would be outstanding if we could find a medal. I think we have the ability to get to that top four and then anything can happen.”

Originally published as Live stream: Queensland North girls ready to impress at Basketball Australia U16 National Championships