Future stars to shine at Basketball Qld Under-14 State Championships in Mackay

From dominant bigs to tenacious guards, our list of the top talents to watch at the Basketball Queensland Under-14 Girls State Championships has everything. SEE WHO MADE IT

Sharpshooters, youngsters with intelligence beyond their years, tenacious defenders and rebounding machines – there’s no shortage of future stars to watch at the Basketball Queensland Under-14 Girls State Championships in Mackay.

The tournament, which started yesterday and finishes on Saturday and is being livestreamed by NewsCorp, is filled with the state’s next generation of basketball talents who are battling it out for championship glory.

See the list of the top talents to watch at the tournament below.

GOLD COAST WAVES

Gold Coast Waves player Georgia Fleming.

Name: Georgia Fleming

Position: Guard

Player description: Georgia is a tenacious and fearless team leader. Georgia is a hard working guard who sets the standards at both ends of the court, with relentless defence, securing rebounds and scoring. Georgia’s improvement and performance has seen her recently selected in the Queensland Future Development Program.

Gold Coast Waves player Jayde Porter.

Name: Jayde Porter

Position: Forward

Player description: The Gold Coast team captain, long, an athletic forward, who sprints the floor, blocks shots and crashes the boards for rebounds. Jayde always brings the energy and plays with a smile.

LOGAN THUNDER

Logan Thunder player Tilli Veivers.

Name: Tilli Veivers

Position: Centre

Basketball Idol: Ash Taia and Mikhaela Cann from the Logan Thunder NBL1 team.

Player description: One of the tallest players in the Under-14 competition. She was just selected in the Queensland Schools Merit Team and the FDP program. Tilli is developing her strength and confidence on the court and is a rebounding machine.

Logan Thunder player Phoebe Stedman.

Name: Phoebe Stedman

Position: Small Forward

Basketball Idol: Lauren Jackson

Player description: Phoebe is a strong defensive player, who has a mix of speed, athleticism and grit. Phoebe is one of the team’s top scorers and has just been named in the FDP program.

MACKAY METEORETTES

Mackay Meteorettes player Chey Bobongie.

Name: Cheyenne Bobongie

Position: Point guard

Idol: Cayla George

Player description: Playmaker, scorer, floor general, competitor, defender.

Mackay Meteorettes player Emerson Kenny.

Name: Emmerson Kenny

Position: Small Forward

Idol: Cayla George

Player description: Shooter, rebounder, defender, high IQ.

NORTHSIDE WIZARDS

Northside Wizards player Sammie Melksham

Name: Sammie Melksham

Position: Center

Basketball Idol: Lauren Jackson

Player description: Loves to be aggressive and encourage my teammates.

Northside Wizards player

Name: Georgia Puruto

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Basketball Idol: Steph Curry

Player description: Georgia is a combo guard that can play the one and two position. Her court vision, ability to attack the basket and team orientated game style make her an asset to her team.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS

Name: Olivia Olechnowicz

Position: Guard

Basketball Idol: Lauren Jackson

Player description: Strong two-way player who has great court vision and the strength to finish inside.

Name: Gia Vukona

Position: Guard

Basketball Idol: Mika Vukona

Player description: Sleek moves and finishes around the basket and is a dominant rebounder.

SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX

Sunshine Coast Phoenix player Chelsea Juan.

Name: Chelsea Juan

Position: Point Guard

Basketball Idol: Steph Curry and Michael Jordan

Player description: High energy point guard, super quick with the ability to beat multiple defenders off the dribble.

Sunshine Coast Phoenix player Maya Winiata.

Name: Maya Winiata

Position: Guard

Basketball Idol: Kevin Durant

Player description: A real quiet achiever. Tends to fill our gaps on both the defensive and offensive ends. Does everything she is ever asked and smiles the whole time she is doing it.

SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES PURPLE

Name: Laila Kefu

Position: Centre

Basketball Idol: Lucy Kefu (Aunty)

Player description: Laila could be the best shot blocker for her age in the state, and possesses skills inside and outside the paint. She is an intelligent player who can read the game, and she is also a great team member.

Name: Mia Lambert

Position: Shooting Guard

Basketball Idol: Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets) and Paige Bueckers (UConn Women)

Player description: Mia is a confident shooter with a strong drive and 3pt range. “Lambo” as she is known is a motivated player who has worked hard to improve her defence and passing to become an all-round player.

TOWNSVILLE FLAMES

Townsville Flames player Clara Kolb.

Name: Clara Kolb

Position: Forward

Basketball Idol: Steph Reid

Type of Player: Clara has great size and movement for a bottom-aged athlete. She gets to the basket well and has great touch around the rim. She has developed her perimeter shot over the past year in another addition to her skill set.

Townsville Flames player Mia Brown.

Name: Mia Brown

Position: Guard

Basketball Idol: Rachel McCully

Player description: Mia has great length paired with good speed in the full court. She is a consistent perimeter shooter and hustle well on the defensive end with great anticipation and ability to get up in the lanes defensively.

Originally published as Future stars to shine at Basketball Qld Under-14 State Championships in Mackay