Having been so close but missing out in the past, Melton Thoroughbreds’ Liam Allison didn’t have high hopes of making the Victorian under-18 country basketball team for this year’s state championships.
So when he got the news last month that he’d made the final cut he was more than a little excited.
“I’ve watched my brother [Blake] do it a couple of times. Now it’s finally my turn,” he said. “I’d made it to the last round a couple of times but not to the end. This year I was more relaxed and focused on being a team player.
“It was still a relief to make it. I was driving a car at the time and had to pull over to answer the phone. I got back on the road but had to pull over again and switch places with mum as it was too much excitement for me to drive.”
Allison is unsure what to expect at April’s state championships but is hoping they’ll provide some good competition.
The game is in his blood and it wouldn’t surprise many that he picked up a basketball as a child.
The brothers have long had a basketball in hand and their father John has been heavily involved in coaching. In fact, he’ll coach Liam at the Thoroughbreds this season.
“I just started running around with Blake,” Allison said. “I skipped Aussie Hoops and everything like that and went straight into it.
“It’s been difficult watching Blake [and what he’s done] as I’ve always wanted to be there myself. He has almost guided me as that’s where I wanted to be.”
The 17-year-old will again combine playing with the Thoroughbreds with under-18 duties with Melbourne Tigers on Friday nights.
He looks set to spend more time with the Thoroughbreds’ senior team than their youth league side. Last year, he averaged 11 points a game in youth league division 2, with the Thoroughbreds making finals for the first time.
“Last year I was in youth league, and I’ve been a development/bench player for the men’s team the past couple of seasons.
“It’s good, as not only do I improve but I help them with training and working hard, and that helps make them better players just as much as I’m getting better.
“It’s been really good playing with the older men, getting used to playing against bigger bodies.”
As for what’s next with his career, Allison is happy to see where it takes him.
“I won’t be disappointed if that [the championships] is as far as it takes me. If I’ve tried my hardest that’s all that matters.”
Fellow Melton basketballer Broden Collins has been named an emergency for the team.
“Broden definitely deserves it,” Allison says. “He’s bottom-age and will come up next year and do us proud, that’s for sure.”
