Bendigo Braves prepare for exciting Bendigo Junior Classic (Bendigo Junior Classic )

The Bendigo Braves will have a host of talent on the court at the Bendigo Junior Classic this weekend including the brother of an NBA hopeful. See their top young guns.

Lexi Fennel and Mia Harvey with Max Connick and Findlay Lockhart are among the Bendigo Braves best junior players. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Five of central Victoria’s brightest young basketball prospects are set to headline the action at this weekend’s Bendigo Junior Classic and you can catch it live.

The Herald Sun has partnered with organisers of the Bendigo Junior Classic to bring you all 37 games from one court throughout the three days of competition which will run from January 22-24.

WATCH THE BENDIGO JUNIOR CLASSIC LIVE FROM 8AM SATURDAY

Tournament hosts, the Bendigo Braves, will have a number stars of the future in action including Victorian state team hopefuls Max Connick (under 14 boys), Lexi Fennel (under 14 girls), Mia Harvey (under 16 girls) and Findlay Lockhart (under 18 boys).

Bendigo Basketball Association coaching director Joe Hurst, who is a former NBL MVP with the Hobart Devils, said there was plenty of local talent to be excited about.

Finlay Lockhart and Max Connick. Picture:Rob Leeson.

“All four of those kids have bright futures ahead of them,” Hurst said.

“It comes from the fact that they put in their own work outside of our training programs. They all recently participated in the metro and country challenge which is where state teams are picked from.”

“Bendigo is unique in having the infrastructure which allows players to progress from learning the game to the top level.

“For our women’s we’re very fortunate to have an WNBL team which is the highest level in this country. Then for the men we’ve got the NBL1 competition which is only a tier below the NBL.

Lexi Fennel and Mia Harvey. Picture: Rob Leeson.

“We have a fantastic relationship with Basketball Victoria which has allowed us to put together these programs for our local players.”

Dash Daniels, the brother of Dyson who is touted as a potential top 10 selection in this year’s NBA draft, is also a Bendigo local.

He will feature for the Braves’ under 16 boys team.

“His talent is clearly going to demand attention,” Hurst said.

“Dash comes from an incredibly gifted family but he puts in a lot of hard work of his own. About 65 per cent of the work on his game would come outside the usual training sessions.

“He’s definitely someone who will be exciting to watch this weekend.”

LIVESTREAM FIXTURES

Saturday, January 22

8am (U14 Girls Championship) – Sale Sonics v Mildura Heat

9.40am (U14 Boys Division 2) – Mildura Heat v Melton

10.30am (U12 Boys Division 1) – Warrnambool v Portland Coasters

11.20am (U16 Girls Division 1) – Bendigo Braves v Portland Coasters

12.10pm (U16 Girls Division 1) – Bacchus Marsh v Wodonga Wolves

1pm (U14 Boys Division 2) – Wodonga Wolves v Geelong United

1.50pm (U12 Girls Division 1) – Colac Kookas v Ballarat

2.50pm (U12 Boys Division 2) – Wodonga Wolves v Bacchus Marsh

3.40pm (U18 Boys Division 1) – Benalla Breakers v Yarrawonga-Mulwala Lakers

4.30pm (U14 Girls Division 1) – Echuca Pirates v Wodonga Wolves

5.20pm (U14 Boys Championship) – Shepparton Gators v Warrnambool

7pm (U16 Boys Division 2) – Echuca Pirates v Traralgon T-Birds

7.50pm (U18 Girls Division 1) – Wangaratta Warriors v Bacchus Marsh

8.40pm (U18 Boys Division 1) – Mansfield Eagles v Portland Coasters

Sunday, January 23

8am (U12 Girls Division 1) – Hamilton Hurricanes v Bendigo Braves

8.50am (U12 Girls Division 2) – Bendigo Braves v Warrnambool

9.40am (U16 Boys Division 1) – Wodonga Wolves v Colac Kookas

10.30am (U18 Boys Division 1) – Portland Coasters v Wangaratta Warriors

11.20am (U18 Boys Division 2) – Euroa Magpies v Bendigo Braves

12.10pm (U14 Boys Division 1) – Hamilton Hurricanes v Portland Coasters

1pm (U14 Girls Division 1) – Portland Coasters v Bendigo Braves

1.50pm (U16 Boys Division 2) – Traralgon T-Birds v Seymour Blasters

2.50pm (U12 Girls Division 1) – Ballarat Miners v Swan Hill Flyers

3.40pm (U12 Girls Division 2) – Ballarat Miners v Mildura Heat

4.30pm (U18 Boys Division 1) – Horsham Hornets v Warrnambool

5.20pm (U16 Boys Division 2) – Melton v Traralgon T-Birds

6.10pm (U14 Boys Division 2) – Melton v Warrnambool

7pm (U14 Boys Division 2) – Wodonga Wolves v Mansfield Eagles

7.50pm (U16 Boys Division 1) – Wodonga Wolves v Bendigo Braves

8.40pm (U18 Boys Division 2) – Myrtleford Saints v MRBA

Monday, January 24

8am (U16 Boys Championship) – Ballarat Miners v Mildura Heat

9.20am (U18 Girls Championship) – Shepparton Gators v Geelong United

10.40am – (U18 Boys Championship) – Quarterfinals

12pm (U18 Boys Division 2) – Maryborough Blazers v Portland Coasters

1.10pm (U12 Girls Division 2) Semi finals

2pm (U16 Boys Division 2) – Semi finals

2.50pm (U18 Boys Division 1) – Semi finals