It has been an incredible season for the Titans in 2022-23, with the team from Tatura battling against the odds as it has enjoyed an astonishing campaign on the court.
Taking part in five regional tournaments this season, the Titans won three grand finals – in Benalla, Shepparton and Wangaratta – finishing as the runners-up in their other two tournaments.
Julie Batey is the president at Tatura Basketball Club and the coach of the under-16 boys.
She said what the team had accomplished this season was nothing short of remarkable.
“They have had a really good, successful season,” Batey said.
“For those boys to achieve what they have achieved together as a team has been amazing.
“We were hoping to be at least competitive, but to come out and win the Shepparton, Wangaratta and Benalla tournaments and then come runners-up in Echuca and Bendigo, for the boys to do what they have done is an amazing credit to them.
“They deserve credit for all their hard work, their work ethic has got them to where they are.”
While most teams competing at the tournament have large squads of players to choose from, Tatura did not have that ability.
“It is a big achievement for the boys considering there are only seven in our team,” Batey said.
“A lot of the squad teams go with 10 players or at least nine, while we sit with seven. So if we have an injury or if someone is unwell, it makes the bench quite difficult.
“I think it is the first time a representative team has gone to the state championships from Tatura before, it is a pretty big achievement for them.”
Batey said it hadn’t just been the under-16 boys who had been excelling at Tatura, with the club growing as a whole as well.
“It has been a fantastic season,” Batey said.
“We had an under-12 and under-14 boys team attend the Benalla tournament, which was their first experience at a tournament.
“It was great because we haven’t had that happen for a very long time, having three representative teams at a local tournament.
“The club is doing really well and we just want to be able to make sure that our players can keep upskilling and be competitive and enter tournaments for the club.”
Batey thanked all the parents involved at the Titans for helping and their commitment throughout the season, something she said was vital.
“The support that the parents give for the boys to be able to attend training and tournaments – without that, this wouldn’t happen. It is really good to have those parents involved,” she said.
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