ARARAT RedBacks Basketball Club came away with two premierships when five teams converged on Hamilton for a tournament last weekend.
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The under 14 girls who went through the tournament undefeated, have played together for a couple of years now and up until this point hadn't had much in the way of success.
Their victories represented a complete turnaround in form and has been credited with being due to the hard work and dedication of both themselves and their coach Donna Borrelli.
Some of the girls had trained every day for the last couple of weeks, with regular training sessions well attended by all who played.
The under 16 boys played out the weekend with a first game draw to the Warrnambool team, they went a step better and beat Warrnambool in the grand final and remained undefeated for the rest of the tournament.
The boys played some disciplined basketball and were applauded by the umpires, other teams and coaches on their abilities and attitudes to the game and other teams.
None of the boys was fouled at any stage over the entire weekend which showed a major improvement in the maturity of all of the players.
The under 14 boys had a fantastic weekend and played some highly skilled basketball a lot of the time against players taller than them.
They eventually played their grand final against a Hamilton team which had a height advantage but still only went down by one point in what turned out to be a very exciting game.
The under 12 boys continue to improve and were a little bit unlucky this weekend to be playing against teams who would normally be division one teams.
Due to a lack of entries in their age group there was only one division. They did however continue to try their best and learn.
The under 16 girls again played against some higher division teams due to a lack of entries.
The girls have a tendency to lose confidence when they fall behind and have to work hard to come back, however it is expected that playing against other teams that are their division will give them the confidence they need.
RedBacks have this weekend off before all teams take to the court in Portland on February 7 and 8.
The under 12 boys and under 14 girls also have competition in Colac on February 28 and March 1 and the Country Championships will be held in Bendigo and Shepparton during March and April.
Domestic basketball at the Ararat YMCA commences on Monday with under 14s and under 16s, while play for the under 12s starts on Wednesday.
This season the Ararat RedBacks is excited to boast eight under 12 teams, this is an increase of four teams since last season.
The outcome is a direct result of a large number of players who have graduated from the Aussie Hoops program.
Aussie Hoops is also back next Tuesday at the Ararat YMCA.
Aussie Hoops is taken by Donna and Chloe Dunmore.
Chloe is current and Donna is a past coach of the Ararat RedBacks squad teams. Anyone wishing to participate can sign up online.
Results (Hamilton)
Saturday -
Under 12 boys 25 def Hamilton 16; U/16 girls 15 lost to Portland 24; U/14 girls 44 def Hamilton 13; U/16 boys 30 drew with Warrnambool 30.
U/12 boys 19 lost to Warrnambool 26; U/14 boys 58 def Horsham 14; U/16 girls 38 def Terang 18; U/14 girls 45 def Terang 20; U/16 boys 49 def Terang 19.
U/12 boys 16 lost to Portland Lost 36; U/16 girls 22 lost to Millicent 42; U/14 boys 5 lost to Warrnambool 44; U/16 boys 31 def Millicent 28.
U/12 boys 4 lost to Horsham Lost 68; U/14 girls 40 def Warrnambool 8; U/16 girls lost to Hamilton; U/14 boys 23 lost to Terang 26.
Sunday -
U/16 boys 59 def Hamilton 34; U/12 boys 16 lost to Hamilton (1) 26; U/14 girls 46 def Hamilton (2) 22; U/16 girls 20 lost to Horsham 29; U/14 boys 30 def Warrnambool Green 23.
U/16 boys 33 def Portland 25; U/16 girls 36 def Warrnambool 27; U/14 girls 41 def Portland 17; U/12 boys 23 lost to Terang 42.
Grand final - U/14 girls 52 def Terang 18; U/16 boys 54 def Warrnambool 45; U/14 boys 38 lost to Hamilton 39.