Napier brings home silverware at basketball cup

By Matthew Kappos

Jan 30, 2025

Elise Napier won the under-18 girls title with Vic Bushrangers. Photo: EMBA.

Echuca juniors had plenty of success at the recent Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup, held in Albury-Wodonga from January 15 to 18.

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The local Pirates had two players selected for the national event, Elise Napier joining the under-18 girls Vic Country Bushrangers and Keoni Anderson the under-16 boys Vic Country Goldminers.

Napier’s Bushrangers progressed out of the group stage with a 2-2 record in their pool.

Crossing over with the opposite pool, the side picked up wins against Tasmania and NSW as part of their finals run, before earning a 52-34 win over Vic Goldminers to secure the championship.

Keoni Anderson was runner-up in the under-16s with Vic Goldminers. Photo: EMBA.

Napier chipped in 27 points across the tournament, while working hard on the glass to secure rebounds for her side.

Anderson’s Goldminers finished top of Pool B after compiling a 4-1 record.

They progressed through the quarter-finals, defeating New Zealand, and the semi-finals, beating NSW, but were eventually beaten in the final, going down to the Vic Bushrangers.

Anderson also scored 27 points across the competition, reaching double figures in his round two and quarter-final clashes.