Local basketballers show off talent at regional comp

GEELONG United has continued its strong junior basketball season, scooping multiple championships at a regional competition.

United sent 17 junior sides from under 12s to under 18s in boys and girls divisions down the highway during the past two weekends to compete in the Bulla Colac Classic Tournament.

Teams from across south-west Victoria, from Surf Coast-Bellarine across to Port Fairy and up to Maryborough and Horsham, competed in the two-week carnival, which was played at Colac’s main stadium, plus primary schools and at Camperdown.

Geelong’s under-14 girls sides led their club’s charge, with both its division one and two sides winning the grand finals in their sections.

United’s top team advanced comfortably to their grand final on Sunday afternoon before enduring a 35-34 thriller against Warrnambool to take out the tournament.

Its second side beat the same opponents 38-23 in its final, after losing its opening game to Warrnambool.

Geelong’s fourth under-16s boys side had also won its division two grand final the week earlier against Maryborough, 48-43.

The boys started their tournament with a draw against Warrnambool, before advancing undefeated to the final, including with wins over their club’s third and fifth sides in the same age group.

Meanwhile, Surfcoast Chargers sent eight sides to the recent tournaments.

Its second under-14 boys’ side won its division grand final against Geelong, while its under-12 boys also advanced to a decider before falling short against Warrnambool.

The Chargers’ under-16 girls had a narrow 31-24 defeat to Horsham in its semi-final.

Bellarine Storm also sent eight teams, with its under-18 girls side performing best for the Drysdale-based club to finish in fourth spot in its division.