Horsham Amateur Basketball Association, HABA, saw success at the Basketball Victoria Junior Country Championships in Bendigo earlier this month, with three representative teams making finals.

The association’s under-18 girls squad was undefeated in division three, winning its three pool games by an average of 24 points before defeating Morwell 42-21 in a quarter final and Wonthaggi 65-31 in a semi- final to reach the grand final.

The Hornets’ grand final opponent Maffra also presented little obstacle, with Horsham winning 47-26 to claim a gold medal under coach Rebecca McIntyre.

Horsham’s under-16 boys squad nearly repeated the result in division three, winning each of their pool games and dispatching Bacchus Marsh and Wallan in quarter and semi-finals respectively to set up a grand final against Melton.

A slow third quarter proved too much for the team to overcome, as it went down 63-73 in the grand final to claim silver.

The under-16 girls suffered an early slip-up against Shepparton in division three, but recovered with strong wins against Terang and Southern Peninsula to reach the quarter finals.

The team had a memorable one-point win against Moe in a quarter final but went down to a powerful Colac side in a semi-final, with Colac going on to win the grand final.HABA board member Jon Fitzgerald said the association was proud of all its players’ efforts.

“Congratulations to all our junior athletes, coaches, team managers and parents for a successful weekend,” he said.

Horsham’s under-14 and under-12 representative teams will play in the Junior Country Championships during April, with the under-14s playing from April 6 to 8 and the under-12s from April 12 to 14.

HABA will host its junior presentation night on April 19 to conclude the season.

– Colin MacGillivray

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 27, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!