Basketball Australia Under-20 & Ivor Burge National Championships 2023 live blog day four (U20's & Ivor Burge National Championships)
The tensions are high but the noise level is even higher as fans give Geelong residents headaches, while the cream has certainly risen to the top. Read more in the tournament live blog.
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Finals fever has arrived at the Under-20 and Ivor Burge National Championships.
Again the action was fast, furious and full of skill.
After another massive day of action as the mercury burst from the thermometre, Mick Randall and Brayden May run you through their top five take-aways.
CREAM RISING TO THE TOP
An eight-point opening quarter from star centre Isla Juffermans powered NSW to a 14-point first-quarter lead that SA Red was never going to recover from. Her eight matched the SA’s first-quarter total as the Blues owned a 22- She finished with 19-9 in just 24 minutes in the 79-57 win and remains among the tournament MVP favourites. Speaking of MVP favourites, Jess Petrie put up the same statline - 19-9 - for Queensland as her side continued its undefeated run in the quarter-finals. Petrie’s been a touch trigger happy - shooting just 37.8 per cent from the field - but she’s averaging a 20-10 double-double and remains arguably the most dangerous pure scorer in the tournament. So good to watch and much taller up close than she appears in our livestream.
THE NOISE FROM THE STANDS
The supporters have been outstanding throughout the week and they’ve made the tournament fun. From the pool noodles to a saucepan - yes, a saucepan combined with a wooden spoon - They’ve been very creative in finding ways to make a huge noise inside Geelong Basketball Arena. A couple of young SA fans had party blowers today and they certainly had the intended effect on the free throw attempts.
BIG BOI’S BIG FINISH
The NBA Global Academy didn’t have win every game, but they gave us all a treat with the next generation of Australia’s - and the world’s - basketball talent on show. None was bigger than 16-year-old seven-footer Rocco Zikarsky. It wasn’t a massive, dominant tournament from the kid from Queensland, but we have to remember he is still just 16 and teams sent two and three players at him at times. He still led the tournament in rebounding - one of only two players over 10 per game - and closed the tournament out for the NBA GA with 20 points, eight boards and six blocks before fouling out in 21 minutes. He easily led the tournament in blocks at nearly four per game and it’s no wonder there is no shortage of interest from colleges and the NBL.
BRINGING BACK THE MID-RANGE GAME
The basketball world is obsessed with three-pointers - thanks Steph. But there’s something still so pure about the mid-range game. It’s an easier shot and we enjoy seeing players knock it down. Throughout Friday’s action, we saw more players step inside the three-point line and take jumpers than on any other day of the tournament. More to come in the semis? We certainly hope so.
THE IGNITABLE VICS
You could have been forgiven for being a little confused when the two Victorian teams faced each other in the quarters. Victoria Navy - wearing white - faced off against the Vic first team - which wore navy. Go figure. Anyway, Daniel Poelsma and Tristan Devers haven’t been massive point scorers this week - but what a say they had in that 100-75 quarter final win. As the big brother Vics tried to break the tension against little bro, the two boys took turns in scorching the net, sparking their side during a second-quarter surge. Poelsma had 25 points, six rebounds and five assists in easily his best performance of the tournament. Devers chipped in with 12 but it was his work at the defensive end - three steals and three blocks - which got his side going. Good defence often leads to easier offence and he was a shining example.
Humble beginnings key for O’Donnell’s rise
It’s been a rapid rise in the last 12 months for James O’Donnell.
He’s gone from representing the Northern Suburbs Basketball Association at under-18 level to one of the country’s most promising prospects.
It’s a reputation which has seen him earn Australian selection last year. But he’s currently back in NSW colours at the Under-20 National Championships in Geelong.
Although he can’t help but look back at where it all started
“I played for Norths from when I was a bottom age under and just kept moving up through the age groups,” he said.
“They helped me with everything and it was a great pathway to get into the state teams and then everything that followed.”
After his time with the Bears came to an end, O’Donnell made the move to Canberra in mid-2022 after earning a place in the NBA Global Academy and Centre of Excellence.
But right now he’s focused on helping NSW chase national glory and he believes they’ve got a significant strength over any other team in the competition.
“Everyone just knows their role and something I think we have on anyone else is that we’re probably deeper than most teams,” he said.
“All 10 guys can play and get a bucket, they can do anything.
“It’s a really good competition (the national championships) and I love playing against some of the guys that I live with down in Canberra,” he said.
“It’s always fun to play against them and the other states. I just love having the opportunity to represent NSW.”
NSW will face Queensland in the final four on Saturday afternoon for a place in the gold medal match after overcoming ACT on Friday.
And O’Donnell believes an even match up awaits.
“It was a good win because in our pre-season we went down by about 15 to 20 points (to ACT),” he said.
“So to come back from that and have that type of win feels great.
“(Queensland) are a very good team.
“They’re very deep too, all guys can play for them but I think if we can come out firing we can get on top.”
WA STAR MAKES MIRACULOUS QUARTER-FINAL RECOVERY
Ruby Vlahov is a certain starter in Friday night’s U20 National Championships quarter-final clash.
The daughter of Boomers’ legend Andrew Vlahov injured her ankle during WA’s tournament opener and has not taken the court in three days, instead undergoing an intense rehabilitation program to get her right for the 8pm clash with Tasmania.
A damaged anterior talofibular ligament is a basketballer’s curse and can be a one-two week injury, but the 18-year-old Perth Lynx development player has confirmed it won’t stop her suiting up.
“I’m going to play today, it’s been swollen the last few days and definitely got a lot of bruising, but it’s coming good so I’ll play tonight,” Vlahov said.
“We tested it yesterday, so I did the full warm up before yesterday’s game to see how it felt, but the coaches made the decision it was safer to give it more time.”
Vlahov has recently recovered from a year of rehab on her wrecked ACL, which dad Andrew, a Perth basketball icon, says helped her build resilience and recover quickly from the ankle.
“She’s blazing her own path, it’s obviously fun and we’re proud as parents to see her doing well,’ Vlahov said.
“She’s had challenges in the last couple of years with injuries but she’s very good with her resilience and ability to turn the page.
“She’s done literally non-stop rehab in order to get back on the court for her team.
“It’s a proud moment as a parent, for sure.”
Ruby’s suffered another injury as a result of being sidelined - her voice is hoarse from screaming encouragement for her teammates from the bench.
The St Mary’s California college commit is acutely aware of her father’s impact on the sport in Australia.
“I have a very good understanding of what he was about back in the day, I don’t hear the end of it,” she laughed, before dad chimed in the background: “That’s a bit harsh.”
She’s thankful to have someone so close who has endured the rigours of a professional career.
“He gives me pointers and coaching tips every time I step on the court or any time I need it so it’s very useful,” she said.
“He’s been the best help ever with my college experience and getting that set up. It’s really nice to have his knowledge about the whole system on my side.”
Andrew says his daughter has a high basketball IQ and the versatility to play three positions on the floor.
“She can play two, three and four, so that gives her some flexibility depending on which lineup or where she needs to play, be it club or state or Australia or college.
“Her ability to defend twos, threes and fours is also a big plus
“Everyone’s playing pick ‘n pop now and shooting a lot of threes and that’s probably Ruby’s biggest strength, her ability to shoot the ball, she can fill it up.
“She can take smaller players down to the block and then beat the bigger players from the perimeter.’
And what about off the court.
“She’s hardly ever off it, to be honest,” mum Claire Vlahov said.
“When she’s home, she’s eating, she’s sleeping and she’s so dedicated to what she does,” Claire said.
“Our other kids, one’s gone to US college, the other’s moved to Melbourne University, so we’re used to our kids going off and having an adventure.
“She’s just about to do that herself and she’s more committed than anyone I know.
“She’s a good kid.”
MEET THE NATIONAL CHAMPS’ GLAMOUR COUPLE
They’re the glamour couple lighting up the Ivor Burge Championships in Geelong.
Brittany Anderson and Koby Banks have been together for six-and-a-half years and share many things in common.
Two of their loves stand out.
Their love for each other and their love for basketball.
And they’re both pretty good at basketball
The pair aren’t just NSW representatives but Australian representatives.
Anderson, from Canberra, is eyeing off her fourth national team selection ahead of the World Cup this year.
“We’ve played for Australia a bit and it’s really special,” Anderson said.
Whatever happens the pair are always supporting each other.
When Banks’ Ivor Burge men’s teammates went to do some sightseeing on Friday morning he stayed back to watch his partner in the 3-on-3 action.
Because that’s what he always does.
“She’s a better player than me but I’m a better defender,” he said.
“I get nervous watching her because I’m scared she’s going to get hurt. I thought she played well today and took some really good shots.”
When they’re not taking to the court together, Anderson and Banks are often training alongside one another.
Often under the watchful eye of former NBL star Lucas Walker.
“He’s a nice guy to train with,” Banks said.
“There’s a bit of competition when we train together but it’s usually pretty friendly because we don’t want to hurt each other.”
Anderson is playing a key role in NSW’s women’s team.
A knockdown shooter, she has the ability to take the game away from any opposition.
But she says it’s been a tough transition to the three-player format.
“I prefer the normal rules of basketball,” she said.
“The physicality makes it a lot harder. It takes a lot more out of you.
“This is the first nationals we’ve played with this format.”
36ERS’ FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER NATIONAL CHAMPS
The Adelaide 36ers’ fingerprints are all over this week’s U20 National Championships.
Development Player Fraser Roxburgh is in action for Victoria, while the two SA teams are packed with no fewer than 11 teenagers who are part of the club’s recently-launched elite academy.
Throw in the towering Yaak Yaak, who has trained with the 36ers when he is not in Canberra at the NBA Global Academy, and the talent under the noses of the Sixers is abundant.
The connections the NBL club is making with these kids is something that excites development coach Michael Lake, who is in the Victorian town of Geelong to take in the tournament and perhaps spy a couple of kids who could one day be 36ers.
“For us, it’s about forming relationships, investing in local talent and hopefully the boys get plenty out of it,” Lake said of the eight-week program, which was launched in September.
“We try to focus, not just on the on-court and concepts and skill work we do at the NBL level, but other elements such as what does a scout look like, what does a strength and conditioning program look like, what does media look like and involve at the professional level?
“It helps prepare them for what they will face in the future if they continue on a path in the sport and it also gives us that insight into who they are, not just basketballers, but as people.
“Do they have the right habits? Are they going to buy in to the processes and programs? Are they coachable? Are they going to fit into certain systems?
“It definitely works both ways and I’m really excited about the initiative.”
One young gun who has gone above and beyond is 17-year-old Roxburgh, who has relocated from Victoria to SA and was still in high school when he made his 36ers’ debut late in NBL23.
He admits it’s been tough, packing up and moving to another state without his parents, but he’s seizing his chance and using plenty of FaceTime to stay connected with family.
“It’s an amazing experience, I had to take this opportunity, it’s pretty much a dream come true,” Roxburgh said.
“Being only 17 and moving to another state without your family, it’s almost pretty scary, but it’s great for my independence and growth.
“I’m staying with a host family, so they’re great people who are taking good care of me and getting me from A to B because I obviously don’t have my licence yet.”
Roxburgh is a versatile wing whose first priority is to get in the lane and either score or kick to the open man but he can catch and shoot and has the makings of a high-level defender. These abilities caught the eye of Sixers coach CJ Bruton, who called Roxburgh “one of the best talents in the country”.
“We needed to get him into the Adelaide 36ers program,” Bruton said.
“Fraser has a big future in his game, and he has the opportunity to create his own destiny.
Roxburgh has shared the highs and lows with fellow Sixers’ development players Fiston Ipassou and Cameron Thew, who have all benefited from Lake’s tutelage, and he says several of his Adelaide teammates have had a big influence.
“Hyrum (Harris), Kai (Sotto), KG (Kyrin Galloway) are really funny guys who are great to get along with and everyone in the team are a great bunch of guys,” he said.
“Macca’s (Mitch McCarron) a great guy who gives good advice. Obviously, he’s represented Australia and he’s captain so he knows a lot about the game.
“I’m lucky to be around a group of players like that.”
He’s averaging 10.75 points across four games at the U20s tournament, with a 20-point explosion against Northern Territory his highlight.
“I was never really one to make state teams in the younger age groups but now my confidence has increased and I’ve been working on my game and it’s all paying off, so I’m just enjoying it,” he said.
Like every kid, the NBA is the ultimate goal, but Roxburgh knows he has to make smart choices to be among the small - but growing - number of Australians to make it in the big league - and that includes putting his schooling ahead of anything else.
“I’m just going to keep working, get my head down, obviously school’s a priority for me at the moment so I’ve got to knuckle down and do that, but I’ve also got to balance basketball and everything else in my life,” he said.
FIVE 36ERS ACADEMY KIDS TO WATCH AT THE U20 NATIONAL CHAMPS
Sean Stock – A combo guard who is a terror at the defensive end and can splash the three ball.
Awak Machar – Skinny, raw, but super-athletic. Brother of Melbourne United development player Malith Machar. Athletic gifts give him a huge upside.
Benny Carlson – Floor general who runs the show. High-character leader who is the ultimate team guy. A good defender but can sometimes be too unselfish for his own good - had only taken seven shots in SA’s four games to Friday.
Stefan Gould – Averaging a double-double and ripped down a ridiculous 21 boards against Tassie. Undersized big who is a super athlete. A nightmare for bigger centres because he is so skilled and absolutely relentless on the glass. Possesses the intangibles that can’t be taught, making him a coach’s favourite.
Harvey White – Vocal point guard who is bottom-age at the tournament, meaning he will be there again in 2024. Can score the ball and tends to make the right play more often than not.
U14s CLUBS HUB: How to watch, live stream schedule, key info
Catch up on all the action from a massive final day at one of Basketball Australia’s biggest junior tournaments. Click on the links below to take you to the highlights from all six courts.
Watch now: Kilsyth, Casey win big in Under-14 Club Champs grand final ‘mini matches’
Jada Hill has lifted Kilsyth to gold medal redemption after a long 12-month journey at Under-14 Club Championships. Watch the EXCLUSIVE grand final mini matches and find out the tournament’s top scorers.