Johnson overjoyed by Vic Country call-up

EXPOSURE to senior basketball and a supportive club network has prepared 15-year-old Keegan Johnson to play against the nation’s best junior basketballers, following his first Vic Country selection.

One of the Bellarine’s top basketball prospects, Johnson says he is excited to represent Vic Country at the Australian Under-16 Junior Championships in Warwick, Western Australia from July 3-10.

A member of the Bellarine Storm’s Under 16 and Youth League program, Johnson said it was a dream come true to finally don the Vic Country uniform when it was presented to him at a special Basketball Victoria ceremony.

“It was a pretty cool experience, one that gets talked about a lot, so it was nice to be a part of it.

“We then played Vic Metro in a ceremonial game after the jersey presentation.”

Johnson relished receiving his Country Vic uniform.

“Holding the jersey in my hands was cool, I’ve seen Under 16s and Under 18s from previous seasons hold the same jersey and I’ve looked up to them – it’s a great honour really,” he said.

Johnson plays in the Storm’s Under 16 1’s side, as well as the club’s Big V Youth League squad, and was named the recipient of the Storm’s David Boyd Award following a superb 2022 season.

The 15-year-old has been adjusting to a more physical brand of basketball playing in the Big V competition under Nick Stamatopolous and is focusing on refining his shooting.

“Nick was my coach last year and now he’s my Youth League coach, so yeah he’s definitely been helping me throughout the year,” Johnson said.

“I’m a little bit nervous, but with it comes some excitement. I’ve spent some time with the Country Victoria side and there’s a lot of talent on the team.

“We’ve got a good chemistry on and off the court.”