Basketball Victoria names under-20 men’s and women’s and Ivor Burge men’s and women’s teams for national title defence
Victorian will be out to maintain its dominance of junior basketball in Australia when state teams head to Canberra next February for the 2019 Australian Junior Championships.
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Victorian will be out to maintain its dominance of junior basketball in Australia when state teams head to Canberra next February for the 2019 Australian Junior Championships.
Last week Basketball Victoria announced its men’s and women’s under-20 teams and Ivor Burge teams that will take the court at the Australian Institute of Sport from February 13-17.
Victoria will be defending the national title in all four categories after a clean sweep at the nationals in Gosford earlier this year.
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And, on top of those four teams, Basketball Victoria has been invited to bring additional sides in the under-20 men’s, under-20 women’s and Ivor Burge men’s competitions, to be known as Victoria White.
VICTORIA UNDER-20 MEN
Selecting a supremely-talented and versatile group, with plenty of returning stars from last year’s successful campaign in Gosford, Victorian under-20 men’s head coach Chris Anstey said his roster is ready to shine in Canberra.
“It was great to go through our tryout phase that had such depth of talent,” he said. “We have six returning players from last year’s under-20 team, which provides great stability in the group.
“It’s great that these players have continued their development and earned the right to represent Victoria again and I’m just as excited to work with the four bottom-age boys that made their way into the team.
“We have great length and versatility, which will allow us to be disruptive on the defensive end, and look to exploit mismatches offensively.”
Victorian Under-20 men: Josh Bannan (Blackburn/CoE), Deng Dut (Collingwood), Oliver Hayes-Brown (Dandenong), Josh Kunen (Kilsyth/CoE) Keli Leaupepe (Dandenong) Sean Macdonald (Kilsyth) Tyler Robertson (Dandenong) Wil Tattersall (Melbourne) Samuel Taulapiu (Sandringham) Kobe Williamson (Sandringham)
Staff: Head Coach: Chris Anstey, Assistant Coach: Shane Macdonald, Assistant Coach: Dion Jewell, Team Manager: Shelley Reynolds
VICTORIA UNDER-20 MEN (WHITE)
Getting the rare opportunity to take two teams in a competition, Basketball Victoria has selected a potent Under-20 Men’s White team that will give all a run for their money in Canberra. Head coach Ash Arnott said the Under-20 Men’s White team has plenty of variety and will show their immense skills on the national stage.
“The coaching staff are excited to be able to afford this opportunity to 10 driven young athletes,” Arnott said. “We have been able to select a dynamic and diverse roster which will allow us flexibility in our game plan.
“The under 20 nationals will give a great platform for many of our first-time national attendees to display their talents in our style of play and we are excited for the challenge!”
Victorian Under-20 men (White): Michael Alfirenko (Melbourne) Matthew Baggio (Diamond Valley) Daniel Foster (Bulleen) Mason Gaze (Melbourne) Harry Love (Ringwood Hawks) Athian Manyiel (Collingwood) Ryan Rapp (Dandenong) Tyrone Simos-Prierano (Sandringham) Zac Triplett (Keilor) Lachlan Viney (Hawthorn)
Emergency: Amos Brooks (Ballarat)
Staff: Head Coach: Ash Arnott (Basketball Victoria), Assistant Coach: Matt Nunn (Hawthorn), Assistant Coach: Braden Cotter (Diamond Valley), Team Manager: Craig Hockley
VICTORIAN UNDER-20 WOMEN
A potent roster full of fresh faces, the Victorian under-20 women’s side possesses plenty of international and national experience.
Newly-appointed under-20 women’s coach Dee Butler said the roster is keen and ready to take on another national campaign.
“I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to work with this year’s under-20 Victorian team,” Butler said.
“The depth and versatility is incredible and a testament to both the Country and Metro programs these athletes have been part of previously.
“There are four gold medal winning top-age players returning, who will be eager to back up their success from earlier this year.
“The roster we have put together will be athletic, mobile and have the ability to get up the floor defensively after teams.
“We have a vast array of experience at elite level so, hopefully, that will hold us in good stead throughout the course of the tournament.”
Victorian Under-20 Women: Jaz Shelley (Southern Peninsula), Lily Scanlon (Bulleen/CoE), Chelsea D’Angelo (Traralgon/Kilsyth), Kobe King-Hawea (Altona/CoE), Agnes Emma-Nnopu (Bellarine/CoE), Sara-Rose Smith (Hawthorn/CoE), Maddi Puli (Dandenong), Eliza Hollingsworth (Knox / CoE), Sophia Locandro (Bulleen), Isobel Anstey (Dandenong)
VICTORIAN UNDER-20 WOMEN (WHITE)
Taking the reins of the Victorian under-20 women’s (White) team will be Samantha Thornton, who has starred in recent years as a multiple national championship-winning under-16 Vic Metro girls’ coach.
The side will feature a number of experienced Vic Country and Vic Metro stars, including 2018 under-18 national champions Abbey Ellis and Lara Edmanson.
With plenty of versatility and power across the board, this side will certainly take it to all-comers when they head to Canberra in February.
Victorian Under-20 Women (White): Georgia Amoore (Ballarat), Abbey Ellis (Bulleen), Isis Lopes (Dandenong), Mikayla Peterson (Diamond Valley), Lara Edmanson (Hawthorn), Hannah Giddey (Melbourne), Lucy Cochrane (Nunawading/Frankston), Emma Nankervis (Frankston), Eliana Bravington (Knox), LT Poa (Dandenong)
Staff: Head Coach: Samantha Thornton (Bulleen), Assistant Coach: Zoe Fagan (Sandringham), Assistant Coach: Michelle Gubbles (Knox), Team Manager: Lisa Page
VICTORIAN IVOR BURGE WOMEN
The Victorian Ivor Burge women are well-placed to defend last year’s championship win with a power-packed roster named ahead of next year’s Australian junior championships.
Head coach Simon Robinson said the strength of the state’s Ivor Burge Development Program and some potent additions to the roster will ensure Victoria is in a prime position to bring back the title.
“We had some strong numbers at tryouts as the State Ivor Burge Development Program is paying dividends and we continue to uncover, foster and grow new talent,” Robinson said. “There are eight returning players from 2018 championships topped up by returning veteran Kaitlyn Papworth and new face Montana Haag-Witherden.
“This may be the strongest group Victoria has had in a while and will be adaptable to almost any situation.”
Victorian Ivor Burge Women: Jessica McCullough, Kate Zonneveld, Danni Phillips, Jasmine Dellas, Kate Leckenby, Evie Patterson, Samantha Williver, Natasha Excel, Kaitlyn Papworth, Montana Haag-Witherden
Emergencies: Nicola Silk, Rachel Potter
Staff: Head Coach: Simon Robinson, Assistant Coach: Justin May, Assistant Coach: Maddison Borg, Team Manager Kerryn O’Donnell
VICTORIAN IVOR BURGE MEN
Backing up to defend its 2018 title, the Victorian Ivor Burge men’s team features a number of starring players from past campaigns.
Newly-appointed coach Ryan Holloway said the side is raring to go and ready to put its best foot forward in Canberra next year.
“Our 2019 roster is very balanced with a variety of height, speed and the ability to finish strongly around the ring,” he said. “We’re looking forward to seeing this team step on the court bringing a fast paced, team orientated, exciting brand of basketball.
“Each player on this roster has the ability to have an impact throughout the tournament and we are looking forward to making this happen.
“This year we had over 30 players attend tryouts with players attending for the first time along with players coming back from having some time off.
“Overall, with the number of players attending and the strength and quality of those players, selecting this team was a difficult process.
“It’s exciting to see that next generation of players developing and coming through the system and it is a great sign for years to come.”
Victorian Ivor Burge Men: Jake De LaMotte, Daniel Bell, Cameron Slacik, Ryan Briggs, James Myers, Frazer Dawber, Michael Snyders, Luke Nicholls, James Debetta, Nick Cluning
Emergencies: Melvin Lee, Nathan Walsh
Staff: Head Coach: Ryan Holloway, Assistant Coach: Kenneth Brunner, Assistant Coach: Jeff Shute, Team Manager: Karen Paterson
VICTORIAN IVOR BURGE MEN (WHITE)
Basketball Victoria has accepted the chance to put a second Ivor Burge Men’s team into the national championships this year, giving additional opportunities to the state’s up-and-coming talent.
Returning to the Ivor Burge ranks for this year’s campaign is champion coach Glen Jordan, who stepped aside from the state duties earlier this year following the side’s resounding tournament victory in Gosford last year.
“What a fantastic opportunity given to these 10 inspiring young Victorian intellectually disabled athletes,” Jordan said.
“A huge thank you must go out to Basketball Victoria and Basketball Australia for giving these athletes a chance to be included in the prestigious Ivor Burge tournament at the Australian championships.
“The development program that we run here in Victoria, with these inspiring athletes, aims at not only getting each individual to be the best they can but just to be included.
“The coaching staff and players are already really excited about the week-long experience ahead of us, which will include a lot of basketball and some new life skills.”
Victorian Ivor Burge Men (White): Tyler Bartley, Jordan Castel, Darcy Ferguson, Adam Horne, Henry Provis, Jake Booth, Kobe Davis, Jack Lee-Kew, Oscar Savage, Kyle Galley
Staff: Head Coach: Glen Jordan, Assistant Coach: Adrian Carfora, Team Manager: Sheridan Jordan
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