Live stream: Queensland South girls locked and loaded for U16 National Championships

A new look Queensland South girls team are ready to rumble at the Basketball Australia Under-16 National Championships. Find out how to watch the nationals LIVE.

Queensland South girls coach Patrick McInernery knows his troops have a great opportunity ahead of them at the Basketball Australia Under-16 National Championships.

“Exciting but scary” is how the coach described the challenge.

Going into their first opportunity as a state representative side at a national championships, McInerney knows his team has size and speed on their side but their opponents will be the same.

Every match of the Basketball Australia Under-16 National Championships will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV, with the tournament beginning on Saturday, July 1 in Perth.

U16 NATIONALS HUB: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, FULL SCHEDULE, DAILY STREAM LINKS

“The unknown is exciting and nerve racking,” McInerney said ahead of the tournament.

“Our goal is to make sure we are playing the way we want to play.

“Making sure we have each others’ backs, being physical on defence and getting the best shot on offence.”

And coach McInerney has plenty of options to get up a good shot.

Jade Sherrington is a really good passer who will be seen throwing the ball ahead in transition, and organising the team in the half court.

Queensland South U16 Girls player Jade Sherrington. Picture: Basketball Queensland

Olivia Olechnowicz is “unbelievable” in transition. She will either be collecting the rebounds and doing it herself or getting out and getting the ball from teammates.

“She’s done a real good job doing both, balancing that,” McInerney praised.

Olechnowicz is also a lockdown defender, and with Gia Vukona by her side, Queensland are in safe hands.

“Olivia and Gia are excellent on-ball defenders. Sinai Foai is also a really good on ball defender,” McInerney said.

“We’re hoping we can be physical and disruptive.”

“They (Olivia, Gia and Sinai) are physically strong, long, and they are confident to get up and pressure the ball … And they do a great job sliding their feet and staying in front.”

Queensland South U16 Girls player Gia Vukona. Picture: Basketball Queensland

Olivia Olechnowicz will be one to watch at this year's event.

Expect a few jump shots from lights out shooter Mya Moke, who “is a really good shooter.”

“She does some crafty and clever things offensively,” McInerney said.

Mia Gurney is another who can catch fire from behind the arc.

Queensland South U16 Girls player Mia Gurney. Picture: Basketball Queensland

“We have a pretty good balance, it’s just about handling the pressure moments. Making sure we stick together when stuff gets hard,” McInerney said.

Samantha Melksham and Violet Johnson will be smashing the glass and Sherrington’s flashy passing can find the likes of Jovana Ilic down low. Throw in the shot creation of Layla Kefu and you have a cocktail for success.

Queensland South U16 Girls player Violet Johnson. Picture: Basketball Queensland

Down the stretch,Kefucan be trusted with the ball in hand.

“Her ability to make the right play consistently offensively and defensively will put us in a good position. She will keep us on the right track,” McInerney said of the power forward.

“Our big Jovana Ilic … She is probably one that will have the most incredible plays where it’s like where’d she come from and how did she manage that.

“She’s really long and really good at attacking the basket and looking to score … She can switch out onto guards and defend bigger bigs.

Queensland South U16 Girls player Jovana Ilic. Picture: Basketball Queensland

When she isn’t forcing turnovers, two way guard Olechnowicz will be the one who can attack the basket – making a play for herself or the team.

“Everyone is focused on doing a job this year,” McInerney said about his entirely new look group to last year where Queensland South finished in fifth place.