Live stream: See which athletes will feature at Basketball Australia U18’s, Junior Wheelchair National Championships

A player who knocked down 30 points in the opening game of last year’s U16 nationals headlines a strong ACT boys team. Can he make some noise at U18 level? Check out our player tracker.

Centre of Excellence scholarship holder and ACT gun Zara Russell is building quite a compelling nationals record.

The 16-year-old 185cm forward burst onto the scene in 2022, averaging 19 points per game in the U16 nationals. She backed that up last year in her first taste of U18 competition, averaging over 14 points and three assists.

She scored 37 points combined against the two eventual finalists (SA Metro and NSW Metro) and didn’t fail once to reach double figures in her seven games.

U18s, Junior Wheelchair National Champs HUB: Daily links, key info, full schedule

And throw a national debut in late 2022 at the Oceania U15 Championships into the mix and ACT have a pretty special player to take to Brisbane for the 2024 U18 nationals from April 7 to 14.

Russell headlines a strong looking girls team that features under agers Hena Lomu and Zara Funnell, who both impressed at the U16 nationals in 2023.

In the men’s team, ACT will be looking to a trio of U16 players from last year to give them a lift in the absence of their three topscorers from 2023, Dante Bruton, Owen Nihill and Arjun Rao.

CHECK OUT EVERY SQUAD NAMED FOR THE TOURNAMENT SO FAR IN OUR TRACKER BELOW

Zara Russell has impressed in her last two nationals appearances.

Ryan Gooch, who scored 30 points in the opening game of last year’s U16 nationals tournament, is a big forward who possesses a versatile scoring game.

Sam Steel and Kanyi Menkaya, who matches speed with a rapidly improving scoring game, were also impressive.

Tassie turn to new breed as stars move on

The three-headed monster has lifted Tasmania to great heights in recent years, but the Apple Isle must turn to a new breed to help them maintain their enviable recent record at the U18 national championships.

For the first time since 2021, none of Kye Savage, Jacob Furphy or Lachlan Brewer will be part of the title assault.

Of course, the trio have left their mark on 2024 already after Tassie took bronze at the U20 nationals in Ballarat just six weeks ago.

But just as they had to in the wake of successes in 2018 and 2019 when Taran Armstrong and Reyne Smith made their names, fresh talent needs to step up.

Top ager Nash Walker underlined his potential at last year’s U18 nationals, averaging 11 points. Two of his best games came against Victoria Metro (17 points) and Queensland South (18 points).

In 2022 he was one of the stars of the show at the U16 nationals, where he averaged over 20 points per game.

Jasper Hay was another to impress in 2023, while he also had a strong campaign in the U16 nationals in 2022.

And then there are the reinforcements from last year’s U16 squad, headlined by Mason Ling, Campbell Waterhouse and Dexter Upton.

Tasmania’s record at U18 level over the past six years is carved in bronze.

After Armstrong and Smith enjoyed monster tournaments in a fourth-placed finish in 2018, Smith backed up 12 months later to lead Tassie past NSW Metro to bronze with 43 points.

Four years later they again finished third as Furphy hit 37 points as Tassie took down NSW Country.

Meanwhile, Lucy Aherne and Chloe Broomhall are back to lead the Tassie girls and they will be joined by a host of bottom agers, including Portia Chopping, Ella Lee, Eva Schultz and Harriet Close in a strong looking line-up.

Familiar name headlines WA Metro charge

The golden generation of 2021 looms large over the current crop of Western Australia Metro boys.

Teams featuring Alex Kovatchev, Ben Henshall, Alex Condon, Ethan Elliott and Thomas Gerovich not only won the U18 title but backed it up, in no uncertain terms, in 2023 at the U20 level.

The two years since WA’s first U18 title in 22 years have seen results of a more modest kind.

In both 2022 and 2023, they finished outside the top six.

This year’s team features a surname synonymous with recent WA success.

Timothy Ibukunoluwa is the younger brother of power forward Josh, who recently played in the U20 nationals in Ballarat and averaged over 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

Although not quite as tall as his sibling, Timothy has some of the same attributes as Josh, according to News Limited basketball guru Michael Randall, who gives the following description of him.

“6’6” SF/PF who can shoot from deep, handle the rock and post up smaller opponents. Rabid rebounder who has some of the athletic attributes of his big brother.”

WA Metro player Alex Powderly. Picture: Mike Farnell

There are a lot of new faces and U16 graduates for WA this year, with Alex Powderly another player to keep a close eye on.

He averaged 11 points, two assists and two steals per game at the U16 nationals in 2023.

Marley Sam was another strong contributor in that campaign, with an average of 10 points and five assists per game.

Stats machines boost SA Country line-up

Three heroes of last year’s impressive U16 nationals boys campaign give South Australia Country some real pointscoring potential for the Basketball Australia U18 nationals at Brisbane from April 7 to 14.

Kale Matthews-Hampton, Ethan McDermott and William Wimshurst set the U16 tournament alight in Western Australia in 2023 as SA Country made it all the way through to the decider.

That they came within six points of toppling Victoria Metro in a high-scoring gold medal match shows they should be feared even though they are stepping up in age group.

Matthews-Hampton contributed an average of 29 points, six steals and five assists per game, while McDermott was far behind in the stats line, averaging 27 points, three assists and two steals.

Wimshurst chimed in with a 13-point, three assist, three steal average.

The trio help bolster a side that is missing Hunter Press and Jack Haggart, who were two of the better performers from 2023.

Meanwhile, Barossa Valley’s Mahlia James, one of SA Country’s top performers at the 2023 U16 nationals, joins 2023 holdovers Penzy Hocking and Edie Easterby in a strong looking SA Country girls team.

James averaged 16 points per game at the U16 nationals in 2023.

Strength in depth huge asset for SA girls

They are the defending U16 and U18 national girls champions, so when replenishment is needed for the older team, South Australia Metro can call upon some impressive talent.

While they still have rising star Coco Hodges to call on at the U18 level, Lara Somfai, Georgina Salandra and Sienna Grieger are not around this time.

Enter Aspen Crase, Keira Gardiner and Emma Scott who were all part of the U16 team that beat Victoria Metro 71-55 in the gold medal playoff in Western Australia last year.

For the second year in a row, KommunityTV will showcase the week-long tournament from Southpine in Brisbane’s northern suburbs LIVE and EXCLUSIVE. The action starts on Sunday, April 7.

South Australia Metro have won two of the last three U18 girls titles.

In 2021 they featured the likes of Izzy Borlaise, Jess Simons and Tayla Brazel.

Last year it was Somfai at both ends of the court who helped provide the inspiration, but the impact of Hodges can’t be dismissed either.

The 16-year-old averaged 11 points, four rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 2023 and looms as the key to their chances.

Aspen Crase will have a big part to play for SA Metro.

She will be joined by an exciting batch of players that includes Gardiner, who finished last year’s U16 tournament as the best scorer in the paint, culminating with a 29-point, 11-rebound performance in the gold medal game.

The SA Metro boys side is headlined by 191cm rising star Alex Dickeson. The 16-year-old averaged nine points, four rebounds and three assists at last year’s U16 Asian Championships.

The team also includes 36ers Academy players Emre Fisk, James MacKenzie and Rio Bruton.

Defending champs load up for another tilt

Victoria Metro may not have the services of one of their star performers from 2023, but the defending U18 men’s national basketball champions are still loaded with talent.

Luke Fennell took the 2023 nationals by storm, averaging over 22 points per game as an impressive Vic Metro cruised to success over Vic Country in the final at Southpine in Brisbane.

The 17-year-old then graduated to U20s company earlier this year and played a big part in yet another Big V Australian title win.

For the second year in a row, KommunityTV will showcase the week-long tournament from Southpine in Brisbane’s northern suburbs LIVE and EXCLUSIVE. The action starts on Sunday, April 7.

Fennell’s absence opens up the floor for others to take charge.

Harrison Beauchamp, who averaged 17 points per game, Ryder Cheesman, James Coleman, Harry Sewell are all backing up from the 2023 success, while a familiar name in Victorian colours is back in the limelight.

Austin Foxwell, brother of Joel and Owen, steps up to U18 level for the first time.

The Victoria Country boys assault retains the exciting talents of Dash Daniels, Cooper Duff-Tytler and Joel Robinson as they look to go one better than last year.

Meanwhile, rising star Sophie Taylor headlines the Victoria Country girls team.

The 16-year-old played in the U15 Oceania Championships at the end of 2022 and will play an important role in Brisbane.

There is plenty of change in the Victoria Metro girls team who will be looking to improve on last year’s fourth placing.

Blues, Maroons bulk up to snap drought

NSW and Queensland have rolled out the big guns as they look to end long droughts at the Basketball Australia Under-18 and Kevin Coombs Nationals in April.

It’s certainly been a long time between drinks for the state rivals, with NSW last tasting title success in 2015, while Queensland’s drought goes back a further two years to when their Queensland North girls team won in Brisbane.

The boys competition has been the realm of Victoria Metro and Western Australia Metro since Sydney Kings star Angus Glover guided NSW Country to a win over NSW Metro nine years ago

Meanwhile, South Australia Metro has emerged as the powerhouse in the girls game, winning two of the last three titles.

NSW and Queensland have entered 10 teams between them, with two Metro, two Country and a wheelchair team each.

Jade Crook will be a big weapon for NSW Country.

NSW are coming off an impressive 2023 tournament where their Metro girls finished second, Metro boys fourth and NSW Country boys sixth.

The Metro girls team will again be the flagbearers, especially with the backbone of last year’s side still intact.

Beaten in the final by South Australia, NSW have retained Jessie-May Hall, Ruby Perkins, Freya Bijkerk, Erica Finney, Zoe Jackson and Lucy Mead

Hall was one of the stars of the show in 2023, averaging 17.3 points, five assists and 5.62 rebounds.

The Metro boys team features returnees Joaquin Gonzalez and Henry Lau plus exciting young guns James Dyson Merwe and Flynn Pavely.

NSW Metro's Ruby Perkins. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

The NSW Country girls team is headlined by rising stars Jade Crook and Kira Juffermans, while the boys team gets a helping hand from Maitland Mustangs trio Sam Blain, Blake Collins and Henry Wawszkowicz.

With the likes of Rocco Zikarsky and Roman Siulepa in their team, Queensland were tipped by many to break their duck last year.

That they only finished third was a major disappointment, but armed with players the calibre of Zachary McDowell-White and Indy Cotton, there is sure to be fresh enthusiasm.

It’s all about family tradition in the Queensland South girls team.

Alleah Hanson is following in the footsteps of older sister Summah while Emma Petrie is the younger sibling of Jess.

Queensland young gun Indy Cotton. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw

Both players are backing up from last year’s third-place finish, as are Sharni Reisinger,

Prasayus Notoa and Jaya Lowe.

Alicia and Keely Froling were the inspiration behind Queensland North’s success in 2013.

This year’s edition has plenty of talent as well, with Cheyenne Bobongie, Taryn Bond and

Emmerson Kenny among the players to watch.

Meanwhile, Rockhampton has a big representation in the Queensland North boys team, with names like Jack Tweedy, Keahn Tuakura and Brayden Huff worth watching.

SQUAD TRACKER

The squad lists will be updated when states release their teamlists ahead of the tournament.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Boys

Ashton Abbott, Lachlan Amos, Munyaradzi Bhowa, Stefan Giwa, Liam Glencross, Nathan Guerin, Mitchell Hardy, Aiden Mckenney, Daymon Moyd, Brian Ramsamy,Marko Regojevic

ACT

Girls

Achol Agok, Holly Denman, Talia Enchong, Zara Funnell, Hena Lomu, Mishayda Pone, Zara Russell, Madison Scholfield, Meaghann Scott, Millah Sullivan, Katiah-Ann Tait, Ava Tawake

Boys

Ajak Nyuon, Aleer Chol, Damian Cooney, Ed O’Brien, Jaron Chitsaka, Kanyi Menakaya, Max Manning, Ryan Gooch, Sam Steel, Seliano Melekiola, Solomon Duggan, Stirling Musgrove

TASMANIA

Girls

Lucy Aherne, Chloe Broomhall, Jade McCoy, Lottee Rolls, Portia Chopping, Ella Lee, Eva Schulze, Andie Smith, Ballie Wickham, Nikki Parker, Ali Reynolds, Sophie Ryan, Hayley Geard, Emily Browne, Harriet Close

Boys

Jase Chapman, Logan Gibson, Jasper Hay, Campbell Jones, Mason Ling, Sam Percival, Lewis Rattray, Will Sorensen-Miller, Nash Walker, Brody Wallace, Oliver Freeland, Dewxter Upton, Hudson Boxhall, Joel Cooper, Toby Morrison, Campbell Waterhouse

SOUTH AUSTRALIA METRO

Girls

Aspen Crase, Evie Elliott, Sophie Evans, Keira Gardiner, Coco Hodges, Abbey Jones, Zahlia Niemann, Emma Scott, Grace Taylor, Olivia Tredrea, Lucy Wootton

Boys

Rio Bruton, Alexander Dickeson, Emre Fisk, James MacKenzie, Deng Manyang, Koby Moir, Charlie Pedler, Luke Pfitzner, Isaac Riddle, Oscar Sabine

SOUTH AUSTRALIA COUNTRY

Girls

Bailey Hahn, Edie Easterby, Ella Aldridge, Ella Humphrys, Krystal Thompson, Mackenzie Burke, Mahlia James, Penzy Hocking, Sienna Lehmann, Stella Mobbs

Boys

Aiden Schubert, Brandon Gillespie, Cody Corbett, Coehn Scaife, Elliott Duffield, Ethan MacDermott, Hamish Todd, Jedd Tranter, Kale Matthews-Hampton, William Wimshurst

VICTORIA COUNTRY

Girls

Ameir Major, Indi Schwarz, Jasmine King, Krystal Arneson, Lily Exton, Meg Cooper, Mia Harvey, Mica Nightingale, Nyapath Machot, Poppy Myers, Sophie Taylor, Tayli Dimarco

Boys

Alistair Smaniotto, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Cooper York, Dash Daniels, Hugh Buckby, Joel Robinson, Keegan Johnson, Lachlan Kanngiesser, Mading Kuany, Sa Pilimai, Sam Haslett,

Sonny Maxwell

VICTORIA METRO

Girls

Josie Agnew, Emilija Dakic, Sitaya Fagan, Jada Kennedy, Orla McMahon, Taia McMechan, Daisy Nousis, Kendra Rivet, Zoe Shanahan, Imogen Trout, Isobelle Wightman, Sierra Woolhouse

Boys

Ryder Cheesman, James Coleman, Austin Foxwell, Oliver Greeves, Marcus Krasnadamskis, Harrison Beauchamp, Denver Warry, Ned Bramell, Marcus Vaughns, Henry Sewell, Roor Akhuar, Charles Webb

WESTERN AUSTRALIA METRO

Girls

Reece Anticevic, Ella Barmentloo, Emilie Beggs, Lara Bussell, Emma Clark, Sienna Gerardi, Remy Hearn, Aysha Kemp, Nicola Moore, Kinley Paterson, Ashlin Ramsay, Skye Thomas

Boys

Max Bucknell, Isaac Averill, Aaron Gashaw, Perceval Macias Fernandez, Jack Pitt, Jhye Stoker, Cyril Mulot, Jongkuch Mach, Timothy Ibukunoluwa, Alexander Powderly, Marley Sam, Harrison Fitzgerald

WESTERN AUSTRALIA COUNTRY

Girls

Isabella Andrew, Keely Berry, Amelia Corasaniti, Alexis Donovan, Madison Dymnicki, Elliana Forman, Alira Fotu, Millie Gerreyn, Shaye Lenton, Ashlee Monaghan, Ava O’Neill, Chloe Zorzi

Boys

Charlie Andrews, Lowell Jude Christopher, Jake Criddle, Gavin Deacon, Evan Delbene, Jack Elliott, Noah Inman, Tyson Jacob, Ben Lawler, Billy McRae, Ryan Tafira, Harry Watters

QUEENSLAND NORTH

Girls

Alley Simpson, Andrianna Francis, Ashlee Colls, Breanna Edgerton, Cheyenne Bobongie, Emmerson Kenny, Hannah Jensen, Leah Pearson-Pitt, Mackensie Brown, Sierra Wilson, Taryn Bond

Boys

Brayden Huff, Brody McBean, Declan Condon, Issac Weldon, Jack Abbott, Jack Tweedy,

Keahn Tuakura, Logan Rebetzke, Noah Anderson, Regan Blachford, Saxon Toyne

QUEENSLAND SOUTH

Girls

Alleah Hanson, Anna Bassett, Bonni Buttsworth, Emma Petrie, Jaya Lowe, Jema Sebasio,

Kerianna Hippolite, Prasayus Notoa, Rica Chanel Enriquez Paea, Sharni Reisinger, Vahayliah Seumanutafa

Boys

Ashley McGrath, Brodie McGregor, Daniel Graham, Indy Cotton, Jasraj Gill, Kurt Siwek, Matthew Amoamo, Noah Kirk, Oskar Olechnowicz, Tyrell Mason, Zachary McDowell-White

NSW METRO

Girls

Freya Bijkerk, Erica Finney, Jessie-May Hall, Zoe Jackson, Olivia Johnston, Jennifer Mailei,

Lucy Mead, Ruby Perkins, Cassidy Thomson, Abbey Vallance

Boys

Myles Buvac, Bol Diing, James Dyson Merwe, Joaquin Gonzalez, Henry Lau, Bailey Macarthur, Ethan Marten-Coney, Jamaal Osikoya, Flynn Pavely, Austin Prosser

NSW COUNTRY

Girls

Charlotte Cougle, Jade Crook, Claudia Hocking, Kira Juffermans, Aleira McCowan, Kijana McCowan, Emerson McCrea, Charlize Morrison, Alexis Plater, Lillian Ragan

Boys

Sam Blain, Blake Collins, Luka Cuda, Eric Downes, Oliver Dyason, Ethan Johnston, Aki Langford, Simon Troup, Henry Wawszkowicz, Charlie Whale.

Originally published as Live stream: See which athletes will feature at Basketball Australia U18’s, Junior Wheelchair National Championships