The team overcame a slow start against Mildura to notch up its first win of the weekend before improving in the second game to put in a four quarter effort in to easily account for the Hornets.

Ararat then came up against the Colac Kookas on Saturday night, a team the Redbacks have struggled in the past.

It was scrappy low-scoring game but the Ararat team managed to hold on to maintain its unbeaten streak.

The win set up a rematch in the semi-final against Colac.

Coach Steve Cronin said that was when the nerves set in.

“We have played in lots of semi-finals but have not been able to win one so far,” he said.

“So it was good to win that and get through to a grand final.”

The Redbacks played Mildura in the grand final, with both teams putting on a good tight contest until midway through third quarter when Ararat gained the scoreboard ascendancy and went on to win the division one title.

Cronin said while the team did not have major success last season, the experience gained helped the players adapt to the top division in Horsham.

“Six of the guys played under-18 as bottom age players, they have stepped up this year and the experience of playing a lot of division one games last year has helped no doubt,” he said.

“Jayden Wright led from the front as captain, his athleticism and enthusiasm was a real highlight along with DJ Woods at point guard.

“The pleasing thing was everyone contributed throughout the weekend and stepped up when on the court.”

Cronin said it was a bit of an unknown going into the tournament, as the Redbacks had played Colac in Warrnambool but that was it.

“We had not played Horsham or Mildura, so it was a bit of the unknown but we now know where we are at and can build on that ahead of the next tournament in Castlemaine next month.”

The under-18 team was not the only Ararat team in action in Horsham, full wrap-up of the other junior Redback teams can be found on page 47.