The Mandurah Basketball Association will be well represented in the upcoming under 16 Junior National Championships being held in Kilsyth, Victoria starting next Saturday, July 2.
A group of three boys and five girls who all play for the Mandurah Magic in the West Australian Basketball League will fly out early on Thursday morning to contest the tournament against basketballers from all over Australia for the WA Country team.
Cousteau Kyle, a handy shooting guard, will also have the honour of leading the boy’s team having been appointed captain.
Kyle said he was shocked when he was chosen as the team’s captain.
“It was a really proud moment for me, but mainly I was just really surprised,” he said.
“We’ve got a pretty good team so to be named captain was really nice.”
The shooting guard has been playing basketball for six years, with 2016 his second time representing the state.
“I made the state side last year and it was a really good experience,” he said.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to get back there and compete in the tournament again, especially as a leader in the team and as captain.”
Joining Kyle will be Marshall Kearing and Jeremy Carrati.
Kearing regularly excites WABL crowds with his strong rebounding game and slam dunks while Carrati is a raw instinctive rebounding phenom.
For the girls, with half the Magic’s WABL team gaining selection the fast and strong Georgia Adams was also honoured with a leadership position being named vice captain.
Adams is joined by defensive superstar Ella Sigley who could prove to be a handful for her opponents with her exceptional speed.
Brie Ritchie, who was also selected, will be a tough match up at both ends with her height, rebounding and blocking ability.
Rounding out the ladies are two masterful shooters Grace Lawler and Sophie Clancy who are both exceptional ball handlers, fierce competitors and pure outside shooters.
Two other athletes who represent Mandurah Magic, Olivia Bassett-Scarfe and Ryan Paterson were named as reserves.
With such high representation in both teams who play together regularly, there should be existing team chemistry standing the WA Country teams in good stead.
