The Ararat Redbacks squad teams have had a busy month, challenging themselves and playing Division 1 at Portland and more recently at the Colac Junior Tournament.
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For many players, it was their first taste of basketball at this level, with some pleasing results. Although neither side made it to the grand final in Colac, the under 16 boys only missed out by four points. The under 14 boys showed immense improvement by making it through to the semi-final.
"Attending these tournaments is a great experience for our players, coming up against some quality teams representing much larger regional cities than Ararat," Ararat Basketball Association president Casandra Woods said.
"I am very proud to say, our boys certainly held their own and really enjoyed the opportunity to take on every challenge thrown their way.
"They can now take what they have learnt into championships hosted by Ballarat in under a month's time."
UNDER 14
The Redbacks were off to a great start, beating Horsham 35-31, following up with a win against Warrnambool 36-34. Wilbur Shea and Patrick Toner were the main scorers for the Redbacks in both games and worked extremely hard in defense. Both players were leaders on the court, directing play and encouraging teammates.
The intensity of both games was immense, with scores being close towards the end and the ball being advanced down the court on a few occasions. An unsportsmanlike play by the opposition due to the pressure also sent the Redbacks to the foul line, which was converted and saw the boys victorious.
The Redbacks played Colac later in the afternoon and found it hard to get into the game due to the two physical matches prior. Jed Rhodes stepped up during this game and was strong under the basket. The defence wasn't as disciplined as it was in the morning's game, and the Redbacks got themselves into foul trouble.
They trailed all game and the aim during the last half was to bridge the gap and get within 10 points, which they did 30-40.
In the semi-final on the Sunday, the boys were up against a well-drilled Hamilton. They lost 35-22.
Despite the score, this was a fantastic game by the Redbacks. They practiced plays which worked in most cases and took on board things that were discussed during timeouts. Reuben Sladdin took many rebounds and closed out shots well. The Division 1 experience was great for the squad, playing against some high-quality opposition and learning a great deal.
UNDER 16
The Redbacks headed to Colac minus coach Adam Burger and tall timber Fletcher Burger, but the smooth transition of Nick Carthew stepping up from team manger was seamless. The boys were in good hands.
In game one on Saturday, the Redbacks got off to slow start against the Timboon Taipans, who got the early jump through sheer determination. But with a man on man strategy, they could not contain the speed and agility of the boys and quickly ran out of legs. Ararat found their rhythm with consistent contribution across the team. Alec Carthew was strong under the ring at both ends, top scoring with 17 points. He was well supported by the quiet achiever Xavier McLoughlan on 11 points and ball handler Hugh Toner on 12 points. Taking the foot off the accelerator in the second half had the Redbacks overrunning Timboon 53-13.
With a bye in the next round, a seven-hour wait between matches was not the best preparation before playing Maryborough in game three. Matched in height and experience, Maryborough hit hard and fast, tagging tall man Alec Carthew which through frustration had him in early foul trouble. Undeterred, the boys stepped it up a notch with every player contributing to the score.
Xavier McLoughlin, Miko Hermosilla and Aaron Chaplin rebounded and blocked out against a quality and well oiled team, winning many loose balls. Ball handler Will Cairns was relentless in defence, scooping up loose balls, and Hugh Toner kept Ararat in the game. Both boys top scored for Ararat, and with all-rounder Lachie Cranstoun contributing four points the Redbacks' only left-hander, Brad Carter, was amongst it from the jump and proved difficult to stop. Making a late surge, Ararat was beaten by the buzzer, going down 31-37.
On Sunday morning, Ararat was on court 1 against arch-rival Warrnambool. After a good night's rest, the boys arrived fresh with a new spring and Ararat hit the boards determined and with a new game plan. Warnambool had no answers for the pressure applied in defence from Will Cairns and Lachie Cranston.
Turnover after turnover allowed the boys to play their natural game. Hugh Toner was accurate from the three-point arc, scoring nine points. Again, contributions across the team were outstanding as the rotation on and off the bench had no effect on intensity or skill. The boys continued to keep Warrnambool under control and ran out comfortable winners 33-28.
Unfortunately for Ararat, the final match was a non-event, downing Koroit 49-28 and not adding to the chances of making the final. Progression hinged on the Maryborough-Warnambool match. Warrnambool needed to win by a margin of seven or more points. Maryborough, Ararat and Warrnambool all finished tied with three wins and one loss apiece, but with only one team able to progress, tournament rules adjust ranking via a points for and against system consisting of only the tied teams. Warrnambool managed to get through by the barest of margins and Ararat's tournament was at an end.
With only three weeks between tournaments, the Redbacks' under 16 and under 18 teams will head to the state championships in Ballarat next weekend, with the under 14 boys attending two weeks later. Overall, there were mixed results with progression to finals, but the experience of quality competition and adjusting to tournament play and umpiring was a great success.