The representative Pirates had reached the grand final of the Wodonga Junior Invitational Tournament before losing to the host team, while this past Sunday they made their way into the semi-finals of the Shepparton Junior Tournament.
After drawing with Yarra-Mul Lakers a day earlier, the Pirates fell one basket short of progressing to the preliminary finals.
Alexis Gregor was a standout in an earlier win on Saturday, posting 16 points in a 32-26 win over Wangaratta.
Echuca Moama’s under-12A boys’ team also fell agonisingly short in a semi-final to Wodonga Wolves, going down by two points.
The Pirates won all three pool games against Myrtleford, Swan Hill and Shepparton, with Arli Walker a standout on offence, scoring double figures in each of his games, including 22 points against Swan Hill.
After celebrating steady success from their first tournament of the season the week prior, the Pirates had a tougher time at the Shepparton tournament.
The under-18 division one boys missed out on the grand final by a point, after winning three of their five pool games.
Finishing third, Echuca fell behind Shepparton and Yarra-Mul, which went on to fight for the title.
The Echuca team celebrated comfortable wins over Benalla, Wangaratta and Wallan though, with the most pleasing aspect the spread of scorers in all three games.
The boys’ under-18 division two side finished 1-4 for the weekend, grinding out a six-point win over Border Sports on the Saturday night.
The under-16 division one and two boys’ teams celebrated tight wins over Wallan and Yarra-Mul Lakers on the final day of the tournament.
The four under-14 teams had to fight through some tough contests over the two days, though the division two boys’ team took out wins over Myrtleford and Shepparton.
Echuca Pirates’ under-12B boys, as well as the under-12 girls’ division one and two teams, all won a game apiece.
The next junior tournament will be in Benalla on the weekend of February 26 and 27, 2022.
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