By Tara Murray
The Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association is abuzz after 10 players were selected to represent the Ballarat region at the upcoming Basketball Victoria Country Jamboree.
The 10 players from one of the smaller associations in the region are among 240 from across country Victoria selected for the jamboree after participating in a skills day early this year.
The event, which is for under-12s, is part of the Basketball Victoria Country pathway program and is aimed at developing skills while also creating an enjoyable basketball experience.
Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association president Nathan Doughney was extremely pleased with the announcement.
“Country basketball’s next generation have earned a place in the BVC elite pathway where the experience will be invaluable to these future prospects,” he said.
“We congratulate them and wish them every success when they head to Echuca in September.”
Hayley Doughney, Lara Johnson, Emmie Morin, Ruby Thomas, Keira Williams and Addison Wright are among the 120 girls selected for the jamboree. Four players come from the domestic team the Magic and the other two from the Panthers.
Jack Higgins, Chaz Jones, Liam Pluck and Seth Wall are the four boys selected from Bacchus Marsh.
It’s the first time the association has had so many players selected, with the number usually being about three or four.
Association liaison officer Richard Morin said that for a small organisation, it was massive to have 10 players named.
He said Bacchus Marsh had 11 Victorian Junior Basketball League sides competing this year, in nine age groups across boys and girls.
“We’re a fairly small club compared to the likes of Sunbury, Keilor and Werribee,” he said.
“We had two juniors sides play in metro 1, which is a pretty big experience for a small town.”
The selections cap off a big six months for the association, which will have a men’s side in the upcoming Country Basketball League season.
The CBL is one of the biggest competitions in the state and is played during the summer months.
