Rising Mandurah Magic stars Jemma Gatti and Damon Ballantyne will lace up their kicks for Western Australia at the under 20 Australian Junior Championships in Terrigal, New South Wales next week.
The State Basketball League young guns were handpicked for their respective state sides on the back of impressive rookie campaigns for the Magic, and will don WA’s black and gold in the search of a medal at the championships.
Gatti, who will represent the state at a national carnival for the second time, said it was always an honour to be named to a WA team.
“Playing for the state brings out a different sort of pride, I think,” she said.
“You only have four or five days to beat the other states, and it definitely brings out a bit of a competitive edge.”
Ballantyne will be sporting a West Aussie jersey for the third time, with his men’s squad touted as one of the favourites and expected to finish on the podium.
The second-year SBL forward said it was a different feeling heading into a national tournament with the added pressure of high expectations.
“The last two times I’ve played for WA we’ve finished near the bottom, so to go in expected to be one of the better sides is definitely a bit more nerve-racking,” he said.
“But I don’t think we’ll feel that once we get there and get to play. It will be nice to just get out on the court.”
Ballantyne will have the added experience of facing off against the NBA Global Academy team, a side made up of prospects touted to find themselves playing in the world-best league in the future.
“That’s going to be pretty interesting, going head-to-head with those guys,” he said.
“They’re supposed to be in the NBA in a few years, so it should be fun.”
The duo’s selections to the WA teams follow on from their standout rookie seasons with the Magic’s SBL outfits.
Gatti played a strong role rotating off the bench for a Magic women’s side that made it through to the grand final, while Ballantyne started most games for the men’s side and took out their rising star award.
Gatti said their time in the state’s top league would hold them in good stead ahead of the national tournament.
“Playing in the SBL exposes you to a pretty high level so hopefully we can take that over to nationals,” she said.
The duo fly out bound for New South Wales on Monday, February 5.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
