Warrnambool Mermaids' under 12 basketballers ready for 2018 seaside junior classic

Coach Kate Sewell is hoping the division one under 12 girls can make it three straight tournament wins to start the 2018-19 squad season when they play at the Warrnambool Seaside Junior Basketball Classic this weekend.

The enthusiastic team – made up of Olivia Lenehan, Poppy Myers, Shelby O'Sullivan, Satu Johnstone, Lucy McLaren, Indigo Sewell, Eve Covey and Indi O’Connor – was a convincing winner in Hamilton and Millicent.

The players, aged between eight and 10 and students at St Patrick’s Koroit, St Patrick’s Port Fairy and St Pius Warrnambool, believe they can make it three on the trot.

Eve Covey, 10, said the Mermaids played as a cohesive unit.

“’Boomer’ is a new press for us and we’ve just learned it and Kate’s done well teaching us the press,” she said.

“We pass the ball really well and fast and they’re not sloppy passes, they’re chest passes.”

Lucy McLaren, 9, said team work was the key to the Mermaids’ game plan.

“We’re good at passing to each other and we’re really good at sharing the ball around so everybody gets a go,” she said.

“I like playing basketball because you get to meet new people when you go to different tournaments.”

Shelby O'Sullivan, 10, said she enjoyed basketball “because a few girls play it but it’s not a very popular girls’ sport” and Poppy Myers, 10, said “it’s fun to be with your friends all the time”.

Olivia Lenehan, 10, said basketball “helps me keep fit and exercise”, while Indigo Sewell, 10, relishes the challenge.

The under 12 Mermaids are among 108 teams across 19 divisions contesting the seaside classic on Saturday and Sunday. They will have four games on a hectic day on schedule which will help determine their standing.

AN increase in teams is expected to give the Warrnambool Seaside Junior Basketball Classic a boost this weekend.

Organiser Jenna Osborne said 108 teams across 19 divisions would contest the two-day tournament with finals at the Arc on Sunday.

“That is massive,” she said of the numbers.

“It’s the biggest while I have been doing it, which is about eight years. In the last 10 years, I reckon it would be the biggest entries we’ve had.

“Other associations are growing so there’s a possibility of more teams there and there’s been interest from Melbourne teams which has been nice. 

“There’s a few teams coming from Whittlesea and more coming out of South Australia than in recent years and the Barwon area – around Colac, Geelong and Bellarine – will be well represented on the weekend."

Osborne said the seaside classic needed the support of smaller south-west associations too, citing Koroit, Terang, Portland and Port Fairy as important parts. 

The classic starts at 8am on Saturday and will conclude with the final grand final at 5.10pm on Sunday.