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Our High Performance Manager Brett Coxsedge provides his wrap up on our Under 18 State Teams from the final day’s play at the Under 18 Australian Junior Championships in Canberra.

WA Metro Men vs South Australia Country Men

The WA Metro men lost a heartbreaker 77-74 against SA Country in their final game of the tournament to finish 10th overall.

The start of the game was positive for WA Metro. Andrej Donlagic opened proceedings with a 2pt basket. Some good defense limited SA Country and WA Metro had a 17-7 quarter lead going in to the second.

The second quarter was all SA Country as they found their groove offensively with Sam Stafford leading the way. On the other hand WA Metro struggled to make their baskets and found themselves trailing at half time 32-28.

The third quarter saw WA Metro fight their way back in to the game with some nice baskets being made both inside and outside. At the final break the scores were tied at 53-all.

The final quarter looked like going WA Metro’s way as they grew the lead out to 7pts. However SA Country showed what they were made of with Sam Stafford again knocking down a number of 3pt shots. WA Metro had a chance to tie the game up at the end of regulation time however were unable to execute their final play.

Box Score

WA Metro Women vs Queensland North Women

Hayley Winter opened the scoring for WA Metro against Queensland North with a nice reverse layup.

Much of the quarter saw both teams trade baskets back and forth with neither able to gain the ascendancy. At the end of the first quarter the game was tied up at 16-all.

The second quarter saw some extended pressure by Queensland North disrupt WA Metro’s offense. However WA Metro were still able to build their lead out to 5pts. Queensland North closed the gap but a Megan McKay layup on the half time buzzer had WA Metro lead by 2pts at the break, 38-36.

A 3pt shot by Hayley Winter to start the second half was just what the coach asked for as WA Metro began to slowly build their lead out to 6pts. This was extended to 12pts midway through the quarter. Queensland North tried hard to stay in the contest however found themselves down 66-55 at the last break.

The final quarter saw Queensland North make one last run to try and get back in the game, however WA Metro were able to control the tempo of the game to run out winners 89-77 and finish 9th overall for the tournament.

Box Score

WA Country Women vs Tasmania Women

In their last game of the tournament WA Country women faced Tasmania women for the second time in the tournament. In the first match the WA Country girls had a comfortable win. It was clear from the start that Tasmania were out for revenge as they jumped out of the blocks. At quarter time Tasmania led 19-14.

Tasmania were able to extend their lead out to 11pts through some good transition baskets. WA Metro were finding it hard to score baskets and found themselves down 39-30 at half time.

The third quarter saw Tasmania blow the lead out to 15pts however a great fight back by the WA Country girls saw them close the gap to 3pts until a half court shot on the buzzer by Tasmania had them lead 56-50 going in to the last period.

A 3pt basket by Georgia Haines to start the quarter was just the start WA Country were looking for. WA Country tied the game up early however Tasmania regained the lead again. WA Country battled away however in the end were unable to get the win going down 78-71 to finish 12th overall in the tournament.

Box Score

WA Country Men vs Northern Territory Men

The WA Country men have finished their tournament on a high by defeating Northern Territory 90-57. The game was never in doubt as the WA Country boys won every quarter convincingly. Shaun Rost led the way scoring 27pts and grabbing 12rebs. He was well supported by Sam Julitz with 15pts and a massive 18rebs.

This win placed the WA Country Men in 13th overall for the tournament.

Box Score

Thanks go to all involved in getting the State teams prepared and onto the courts in Canberra. Without the coaches, team managers, parents, volunteers, tournament organisers and support staff these tournaments are not possible. Congratulations to all on working together to have WA athletes represent the State at these Nationals.