Gold Coast teams shooting for gold

Several Gold Coast teams will feature in a major under-18 basketball tournament this week.

MORE than 800 young basketballers will converge on the Gold Coast this week to prove they’ve got the best team in the state.

The under-18 state championships will be held at Carrara from today until Sunday.

The tournament will see 69 teams across two girls and three boys divisions competing for the title.

The Gold Coast will be strongly represented with the North Gold Coast Seahawks fielding a team in division 1 girls, division 2 boys and division 3 boys, while the Gold Coast Waves will play in division 1 girls and boys, Gold Coast Breakers in division 2 girls and boys, Gold Coast Tides in division 3 boys and Gold Coast Rollers also in division 3 boys.

Coach of the North Gold Coast Seahawks division 2 boys team Dion Meha said the team is looking strong heading in.

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North Gold Coast Seahawks under-18.1 team. From left: Left to right: Connor Peterson, Jack Mackenzie, Lucas De Vere, Taz Sharrock, Faizi Taylor, Jai Clarke, CJ Ioane, Ethan Allen, Sam Davidson, Jackson Kirkham, Brodie Christiansen, Absent: Spencer Taleni. Picture: Supplied.

“We’ve been training hard with a focus on conditioning,” he said.

“We’ve been doing a lot of cardio based activities so the team is very fit- I’m happy with where they’re at.”

Meha said the training isn’t just about preparing for the championships, it’s also to prepare the players for the future.

“It’s to prepare them for the next level and what they need to do when they get there with their personal fitness, their personal skill level and the expectations required,” he said.

Meha said skills wise the team has had to develop a lot in recent weeks, but they’re now up to the challenge the championships will bring.

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“There’s been a lot of new principles and it’s been a learning curve for them,” he said.

“Division two is quite competitive, but I believe we have as good a chance as any of the other teams to win.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast Waves girl’s coach Karen Ostrouhoff said the team is shaping up well.

Gold Coast Under 18 Girls Waves Seated left to right: Reese Andrade, Halle Brooker, Casey Walker, Abbey Hamill Yarra Adnum Lamb, Standing: Coach Karen Ostrouhoff, Cassidy Muir, Wendy Stone, Makayla Greensill, Bridgette Kennedy, Assistant Coach Renae Grayson. Absent: Shakira Grayson. Picture: Supplied.

“Training’s been going really well,” she said.

While the team doesn’t have the best record, Ostrouhoff said they shouldn’t be written off.

“We have a lot to work on and last season we lost a few games but some were really close, so the ladder isn’t indicative of their ability,” she said.`

“We’re only a pretty small team, but pretty intense.”