The under-18 girls continued on from a strong showing at the Bendigo Classic a fortnight ago, suffering one loss in the group stage before hitting their stride in the finals to walk away victorious.
Sporting an exciting young core featuring Isabel Whitelaw and Holly Egan, the girls’ chemistry and team-first approach paid dividends throughout the weekend as they continue to grow into a force of Victorian country underage basketball.
Team organiser Michelle Judd was full of praise for her side’s efforts.
“I am incredibly proud of the girls, they have really taken on board the listening and learning in this COVID-shortened season, they have a lot to take on, training twice a week and playing lots of games,” Judd said.
“We have struggled to get everyone playing and training together due to isolations and things, so given all of the challenges they have done an amazing job.”
The girls’ victory was all the more special given the obstacles they had to overcome, with a number of key players unable to make the trip to Wodonga due to state commitments and injury.
Judd said watching the girls deal with this adversity and still come out on top had been nothing short of special.
“The resilience of these kids has been remarkable, in all honesty I feel like kids have been robbed of their childhood with this COVID situation, they are a really great bunch of girls and I just love being involved,” she said.
“Holly Egan really had to step up as a bottom-age player in some of those early games where we didn’t have Isabel (Whitelaw), she really was sensational and just a great example of what our team is all about.”
The under-14 division one boys joined Judd’s squad in the winner’s circle, producing a near perfect weekend of basketball to come away with the title.
Starting its campaign with a comfortable 36-17 win over Echuca Pirates, Shepparton slipped in round two falling 36-20 to hosts Wodonga Wolves.
Needing a win to secure a finals spot, the Gators dug deep, grinding out a tough 37-32 win over ladder-leaders Albury Cougars before dismantling Bendigo Braves 50-19 to secure their spot in the grand final.
Pitted against Albury for the second time in as many days, it was another tight contest as the competition heavyweights battled it out for the title.
But on the back of a 13-point scoring burst by Dashiell Smith, the Gators prevailed once again, coming away with a gritty 30-25 victory.
While no other Shepparton teams tasted glory, there were still a number of other eye-catching performances that would have had coaches and supporters incredibly proud.
The under-16 division one boys gave it absolutely everything in a campaign that ended in grand final heartbreak.
The Gators were perfect in the group stage, winning all four of their games to finish equal top on the ladder.
This set up a match with a dominant Wodonga Wolves, who rode the home court advantage to finish 51-23 victors.
