heraldsun.com.au to showcase some of Victoria’s best young basketball talent

Teams from around country Victoria will descend on Bendigo this weekend for the state Under-18 Basketball Country Championships. FIND OUT HOW TO WATCH LIVE

Australia’s next basketball superstars will be on show in Bendigo this weekend as teams from across the state battle it out at the Basketball Victoria Under-18 Country Championships.

And you can watch them thanks to a new livestreaming program on heraldsun.com.au.

WATCH SUNDAY’S LIVE VICTORIAN UNDER-18 BASKETBALL COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS ACTION HERE

WATCH SATURDAY’S REPLAYS FROM THE VICTORIAN UNDER-18 BASKETBALL COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE

The likes of NBA title winner Matthew Dellavedova, fellow Boomers Jock Landale and Mitch Creek, and Opals Tessa Lavey and Maddie Garrick have graced the hardwood at previous tournaments.

The tournament tips off on Saturday, February 20 at Bendigo Stadium with finals to follow on Sunday, February 21.

CHECK OUT THE FULL LIVESTREAM FIXTURE BELOW

Every match on the venue’s showcourt – Court 6 – will be broadcast on heraldsun.com.au.

Existing subscribers will have full access to the broadcast while new subscribers can sign up for full digital access for an introductory price of just $1.

Action from the 2019 Victorian Under-18 Country Championships: Picture: Basketball Victoria/Sport in Focus

Action from the 2019 titles. Picture: Basketball Victoria/Sport in Focus

Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey said it was a fantastic opportunity to welcome back athletes after a difficult 2020 and showcase some of the elite talent in the state.

“After the challenges of 2020, the response from the basketball community across Victoria has been incredible,” he said.

“The championships are highlights on the calendar for many of our country players and to have them return in 2021 helps start the year in the best possible way.

TALENTS: COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS PLAYERS TO WATCH

“Having the Under-18 Country Championships livestreamed is a brilliant way to celebrate these players and broadcast their superb skills across the world.

“It’s always exciting to have your team’s championship games livestreamed for everyone to see and we are keen to watch it all via the Herald Sun livestream.”

More than 400 athletes will compete over the two days, representing 25 regions.

U18 Country Championships Seeding

BOYS		GIRLS
SEED	TEAM	SEED	TEAM
1	Maffra Eagles	1	Ballarat Rush
2	Bendigo Braves	2	Seymour Blasters
3	Pakenham Warriors	3	Bendigo Braves
4	Warrnambool Seahawks	4	Mildura Heat
5	Geelong United	5	Wodonga Wolves
6	Traralgon T-Birds	6	Macedon Ranges
7	Southern Peninsula Sharks	7	Traralgon T-Birds
8	Seymour Blasters	8	Warragul Warriors
9	Echuca Pirates	9	Bellarine
10	Ballarat Miners	10	Shepparton Gators
11	Mildura Heat	13	Geelong United
12	Shepparton Gators	14	Southern Peninsula Sharks
14	Horsham Hornets	15	Moe Meteors
15	Wallan Panthers	16	Portland Coasters
17	Hamilton Hurricanes	17	Maffra Eagles
18	Wangaratta Warriors	19	Korumburra Wildcats
22	Bellarine
32	Wonthaggi Coasters
33	Portland Coasters
36	Sale Sonics

The home team Bendigo Braves will be looking to defend their Boys and Girls Division 1 titles won in 2019.

The Braves were too good for Ballarat in the Boys decider and Traralgon T-Birds in the Girls finale.

Basketball Victoria competitions co-ordinator Sammy Cartwright said there were some exciting talents to watch out for.

“Our regional athletes are truly elite, Victoria Country teams consistently win medals at national championships,” he said.

“The likes of Dallas Loughridge, Jamie Bottrell, Sienna Privitera, Darcy Jones, Tanielle Knight and Jack Hrehoresen are just a handful of the elite country juniors to watch for the future.”

HERALD SUN LIVESTREAM FIXTURE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20

9am: Traralgon T-Birds v Mildura Heat (Boys)

10.15am: Southern Peninsula Sharks v Wodonga Wolves (Girls)

11.30am: Warrnambool Seahawks v Sale Sonics (Boys)

12.45pm: Bendigo Braves v Traralgon T-Birds (Girls)

2pm: Bellarine v Seymour Blasters (Boys)

3.15pm: Ballarat Rush v Maffra Eagles (Girls)

4.30pm: Wangaratta Warriors v Bendigo Braves (Boys)

7pm: Wallan Panthers v Pakenham Warriors (Boys)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

ROUND OF 16

8am: Boys Division 2 Round of 16 (Teams TBC)

QUARTER FINALS

9.15am: Girls Division 1 Quarter Final (Teams TBC)

10.30am: Boys Division 2 Quarter Final (Teams TBC)

SEMI FINALS

11.45am: Girls Division 1 Semi Final (Teams TBC)

1pm: Boys Division 2 Semi Final (Teams TBC)

GRAND FINALS

2.15pm: Boys Division 1 Grand Final (Teams TBC)

3.30pm: Girls Division 2 Grand Final (Teams TBC)