Sport

Young basketball stars to hit the courts for Shepparton junior tournament

By James Kleeman

Dec 1, 2022

All together: Shepparton Gators have a team competing in every age group at this weekend’s junior tournament. Photo by Megan Fisher

Greater Shepparton Basketball Association will stage its well-renowned junior tournament this weekend.

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More than 220 teams from across Victoria will converge on the Goulburn Valley and take to basketball courts from Euroa to Benalla on Saturday and Sunday.

Up to 600 games will be played among age groups ranging from under-12 right through to under-18.

With a bumper weekend of basketball approaching Greater Shepparton Basketball Association administrator Tony Long said excitement was building ahead of the weekend.

“It’s a massive weekend of basketball, it’s been just flat out,” Long said of the event.

“It’ll be excellent to be out there this weekend, there’s some great basketball to be played around the region.”

All under-16 and under-18 champs divisions will play all matches at Shepparton Sports Stadium, with some of the region’s best junior basketballers set to strut their stuff on the Gators’ home courts.

After a grand final win at the Wodonga tournament a fortnight ago, the Gators’ under-18 boys will be intent on carrying their recent form into the home tournament.

Meanwhile, the Gators’ under-16 girls are gearing up for another big weekend and will be keen to go a step further this time around, after losing their grand final appearance to Wodonga.

“All under-16 and under-18 Gators teams will play at Shepparton, if people want to get down and watch a decent game of basketball entry is free,” Long said.

“We have teams entered in every age group in multiple divisions, we’re hoping they can get on the board and have a great weekend.”