Charger to represent Victoria in Willetton

15-YEAR-OLD Surf Coast Chargers guard Jack McGough is no stranger elite competition, as the bottom-age Under 18 player prepares to battle it out again with the nation’s best.

McGough, a Western Heights Secondary College student and former Corio Bay Stingray, will represent Team Victoria at the School Sport Australia (SSA) Basketball Championships in Willetton, Western Australia from August 19-25.

McGough first got word he was selected to be part of Team Victoria more than two months ago following an extensive selection process dwindling over 500 junior basketballers to just 10.

“I was just stoked really, a lot of hard work finally paid off,” he said.

“The team has had six training sessions together and three practice matches since finding out the roster.

“It’s much more enjoyable, personally, training and playing against such high-level competition, it’s a lot more challenging, and I can’t wait to play with them as team mates in Western Australia.”

McGough’s past selections include spots in the Kumon Country Metro Challenge, Basketball Victoria Country Jamboree, and last year making it into the Under 16 State Combine.

Victoria’s boys side will play Western Australia on Sunday, August 20; South Australia on Monday, August 21; Queensland and New South Wales on Tuesday, August 22; and the ACT on Thursday, August 24.

Semi Finals action will be held on Thursday afternoon, while the Gold Medal and Bronze Medal games will be held on Friday, August 25.

McGough said he and his team would settle for nothing less than the gold medal.