Live stream: Traralgon gets set to host Basketball Victoria's Junior Country Championships (BV Country Championships)

Traralgon has been a breeding ground for some of Australia’s best up and coming basketball stars in recent years. Here’s why it is set to continue.

Traralgon is a breeding ground for some of Australia’s best young basketball talents.

Over the years, Melbourne United’s Jack White and Canberra Capitals’ Jade Melbourne have pulled on the club’s colours at the Basketball Victoria Junior Country Championships which you can watch live on the Herald Sun website.

This weekend, it will be the next generation’s turn when the T-Birds play host to the 2022 edition of the tournament across three days of action.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN WATCH 64 GAMES AT THE COUNTRY CHAMPS LIVE

Traralgon’s under 14 boys side coached by Daniel Scholtes are expected to be one of the top contenders for the title while the girls team, led by Gail Macfarlane, shouldn’t be discounted.

Macfarlane's side will be hoping to go one step better than the 2019 team, when the titles were last held, who fell to regional rivals Sale in the grand final.

Traralgon Amateur Basketball Association squad co-ordinator Sharon Royal spoke highly of both teams heading into the weekend.

“We’re really excited about the tournament this weekend and seeing what our kids are able to do,” she said.

“The association has been able to be really successful in the past because we’ve got so many dedicated coaches who want to get the best out of themselves.

“Gail is the Gippsland United coach in the Big V competition and Dan is an assistant with United’s under 18 girls program. Having them at that level means they can come back and pass on their knowledge to the local players.”

Will Hamilton and Amily Smith are two of Traralgon’s best prospects. Photos: Supplied.

Royal highlighted the connection to Gippsland United as one of the major reasons for the continued development on a local level.

Six Traralgon players form part of United’s under 14 boys team which competes in the top division of the Victorian Junior Basketball League, the Victorian Championship.

They include Jay Bloomfield, William Hamilton, Brodie Adams, Kaiden McNamara, Wil Walker and Jye Reyke.

Meanwhile, Ella Macfarlene and Amily Smith are the association’s representatives in United’s best under-14 girls team.

“It’s a fantastic partnership which has allowed kids to play at a higher level,” Royal said.

“There are more opportunities to play against some of the best players in the state which means there are great chances for exposure to potentially play at a higher level.”

Melbourne United star Jack White is a product of Traralgon basketball. Photo: Getty Images.

White, who has now gone onto become an important player for Melbourne United in the NBL, was part of Traralgon’s under 18 title winning team back in 2015.

He then went onto captain major US college Duke before returning to Australia’s top male competition.

While Melbourne has progressed onto the WNBL with the Canberra Capitals and is hopeful of being selected in the WNBA Draft next week.

Royal said the pair were always giving back to Traralgon basketball when time allowed.

“If they’re ever back home, you’ll find them walking around the stadium and helping out where they can,” she said.

“They’ve got a lot of respect from people at the club because of how much time they’re willing to give up to support our current juniors.”

LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE — DAY ONE

COURT A

9am (Girls) — Shepparton v Echuca

10am (Boys) — Sale v Geelong United

11am (Girls) — Swan Hill v Phillip Island

12pm (Boys) — Mildura v Whittlesea

1pm (Girls) — Korumburra v Portland

2pm (Boys) — Seymour v Terang

3pm (Boys) — Morwell v Foster

4pm (Boys) — Yarrawonga Mulwala v Melton

5pm (Girls) — Terang v Geelong United

6pm (Boys) — Shepparton v Colac

7pm (Girls) — Mansfield v Traralgon

8pm (Girls) — Western Port v Melton

COURT B

9am (Girls) — Moe v Hamilton

10am (Boys) — Pakenham v Maffra

11am (Girls) — Bendigo v Horsham

12pm (Boys) — Bellarine v Traralgon

1pm (Girls) — Colac v Sale

2pm (Boys) — Bairnsdale v Wonthaggi

3pm (Boys) — Portland v Maryborough

4pm (Boys) — Phillip Island v Lakes Entrance

5pm (Girls) — Wangaratta v Wonthaggi

6pm (Boys) — Surf Coast v Korumburra

7pm (Girls) — Foster v Wodonga

8pm (Girls) — Romsey v Mildura

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