Echuca's Regan Smith coached in the under-14s and Arli Walker played with the under-15s at the 2025 Southern Cross Challenge. Photos: EMBA.
The Southern Cross Challenge, a premier pathways tournament for under-14 and under-15 basketballers, was held last weekend, with Echuca participating on and off the court.
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The event, running from January 17-20, saw sides from all six states taking part, Echuca’s Arli Walker making it through the rigorous selection process to join the Vic Country Goldminers.
The Goldminers started the tournament on the front foot, defeating the Tasmania Kangaroos 69-63 in their opening contest.
It was also a highlight for Walker, the vice-captain of the side, as he logged his tournament-high points total of 18.
Particularly deadly from beyond the arc, Walker drained four three-pointers in the contest.
Arli Walker lines up a free-throw for the under-15 Goldminers.
Unfortunately, the Goldminers weren’t able to add any more wins to their tally, falling in the next four games of the rounds stage.
They were also defeated in both games of their finals run, the competition employing a sorting system that ensured all teams played for position in finals
On a personal level, Walker increased his tournament points total to 46, averaging 9.2 points over the five games in which he got on the score sheet.
Walker reached double figures again in the round four game against NSW Country, logging 11 points.
Arli, the son of Carlton legend Andrew Walker, also plays football with the Echuca junior football club and could have a decision to make over the next few years.
His older brother Cody was also a previous Victorian basketball representative but has now fully committed to football, named an under-16 All-Australian in 2024.
Also at the Southern Cross Challenge, Echuca’s Regan Smith was earning his stripes on the sidelines, selected to coach the under-14 Bushrangers at the tournament.
Regan Smith directs his under-14 Bushrangers from the sideline.
Smith’s charges had a slow start to their campaign, dropping their first three fixtures.
The Bushrangers were unlucky to go down by just two points in round two, and one in round three, but continued to improve across the weekend, picking up a 52-46 win over Vic Metro Blue in round four.
The winning streak continued as Smith guided his side to a 59-53 victory over NSW Metro Blue, before following up in the first round of finals, defeating WA 61-58.
The side dropped its remaining game to SA Blue, finishing the tournament a respectable 3-4.
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