Ballarat, Shepparton juniors named in Vic Country under 18 basketball team

Ballarat has dominated selection for the upcoming national under 18 basketball championships with the brother of an AFLW star named. Meet our future stars.

There will be a strong local flavour to the Victorian Country under 18 basketball team when it competes at the national championships in Ballarat later this year.

The hosts have six representatives across the men’s and women’s teams who will compete at the titles between April 10 and 17.

Ballarat’s representatives include Alex Molan, the brother of AFLW star Sophie and reigning GWV Rebels best and fairest Charlie.

He will be joined by Lucas Impey, Ned Renfree and Riley Dunn as the other locals in the squad.

The Ballarat quartet will be led by first-time head coach Brenton O’Brien.

Their squad also includes two seven-footers, Martin Steen (Bendigo/Knox) and Nate Hargrave (Wyndham).

Alex Molan is one of four Ballarat locals in the men's team. Photos: Basketball Victoria.

“The strengths of our group is going to be our size, length and versatility, but also our dynamic guards who can create for themselves and others,” O’Brien said.

Jemma Amoore and Milly Sharp have both earned selection in the women’s team and could possibly be joined by Emily Lewis who has been named as an emergency.

The Ballarat pair are the experienced top-aged players alongside Isabel Whitelaw (Shepparton) and Jaime Gallatly (Maffra).

Women’s coach Haydn Kirkwood said he was excited about the competition ahead.

“Our versatility will be one of our strengths with all players being able to shoot and also play off the dribble from the perimeter,” he said.

Jemma Amoore is one of two Ballarat locals in the women's team. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Basketball Ballarat chief executive Neville Ivey said the association was “extremely proud” of the talented teenagers.

“To have six players selected with the possibility of seven is really exciting for our community,” he said.

“They’ve put in a lot of time and effort to get here and they’ve been rewarded for it. A lot of credit needs to go to their coaches and parents as well for the support they’ve given them.

“It’s fantastic they’ll get to play on the big stage on their home court.”

UNDER 18 COUNTRY WOMEN

Sienna Harvey (Geelong United)

Alexandra Leng (Mildura)

Jemma Amoore (Ballarat)

Milly Sharp (Ballarat)

Kyra Webb (Sale/Casey)

Emily Scholtes (Traralgon)

Jaime Gallatly (Maffra)

Chantelle James (Frankston)

Asha Nightingale (Traralgon)

Isabel Whitelaw (Shepparton/Hawthorn)

Emergencies: Lavinia Cox (Bendigo), Tahli Smith (Wodonga), Macey McGlead (Korrumburra), Emily Lewis (Ballarat), Hayley Letts (Melbourne Tigers).

UNDER-18 COUNTRY MEN

Alex Molan (Ballarat)

Ben Waller (Traralgon)

Boston Dowling (Shepparton/Eltham)

Corey Hastings (Southern Peninsula)

Lucas Impey (Ballarat)

Martin Steen (Bendigo/Knox)

Max Zalakos (Geelong United)

Nate Hargrave (Wyndham)

Ned Renfree (Ballarat)

Riley Dunn (Ballarat)

Emergencies: Brady Hall (Colac/Geelong United), Jack Whitlock (Shepparton), Jett Garnham (Wonthaggi / Dandenong), Josiah Pattinson (Bendigo), Matt Whitlock (Shepparton), Tom Field (Sandringham) and Wil Rantall (Warrnambool).

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