Rochester basketballers take next steps towards Country-Metro Challenge

By Meg Saultry

Dec 6, 2021

Step up the ladder: Rochester’s Harry Keating (right) has been selected for next year’s Country-Metro Challenge, while Will Hann (left) is still in the mix, named as an emergency. Photo: Meg Saultry.

Rochester teen Harrison Keating will add another representative accolade to his basketball resume, after he was selected to attend next year’s Country-Metro Challenge.

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Keating stood out in front of selectors while attending the Gold Nugget Camp at Bendigo earlier this month, to earn his spot in an under-15 Country team.

Tigers teammate William Hann is still in the mix to attend the challenge, named as one of three emergencies among the list of under-15 boys after also impressing at the camp.

Representatives across the 20 country squads will earn insight into development and higher-level gameplay throughout the four-day tournament in Melbourne next year.

“It’s been a long time coming for these players to return to high-performance basketball tournaments and they have shown how excited and passionate they are about representing Country at the challenge,” Basketball Victoria high performance head coach of Country Women Zoe Carr said.

The tournament, which temporarily replaces the Southern Cross Challenge due to inter-state travel concerns, will also give players a chance to push their case for state team selections later in 2022.

The Kumon Country-Metro Challenge will be held at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South from January 14 to 17.

By Meg Saultry

Sports journalist