TAMWORTH’S foray into the Country Premier League Under 14 Girls’ basketball competition began with a perfect weekend at home last month but increases in intensity for the second round in Minto this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Greg Irwin-coached Under 14 Thunderbolt girls had three games in the Tamworth Sports Dome in the middle of March, beating Maitland Mustangs 53-50, Port Macquarie Dolphins 62-43 and Gosford City Rebels 48-47.
It couldn’t have been a better debut for the young side on a weekend where the Tamworth Basketball Association celebrated their first ever round of CPL with nine wins from 10 games.
While the 14 girls won all three, the Thunderbolt Under 16 Boys, coached by Matt Hobson, won all three of their CPL games against Port Macquarie (73-43), Newcastle Hunters (70-53) and Coffs Harbour Suns (66-34).
The Thunderbolt Under 16 Girls, coached by John Ireland, won three and lost one.
Their loss was to Newcastle Hunters (67-56) while they beat Gosford City Rebels 73-37, Coffs Harbour Suns 72-37 and Maitland Mustangs 91-44.
It was a brilliant way for the TBA to stage its first CPL round and gave the three young sides enormous boosts as well before they head to Minto for the next round of games on Saturday.
“It was a great start, three from three,” Irwin said.
“I had been hopeful of getting through that first round with three wins because it was a very good draw for us.
“It’s not bad the way it sets up for us at Minto too.
“We play Western Reds first up then Newcastle Hunters, who will be playing their third game of the day.
“Then we play Illawarra on the Sunday morning. They (Illawarra) are, by all reports, a gun side. Both them and Newcastle have imports too.”
Irwin is delighted with how his side shaped up and continues to prepare for their debut CPL season.
“It’s more of a learning experience for them and me,” he said.
“We made a few mistakes in the first round but I have to keep remembering – they are only 12 and 13 year-old girls.”
Irwin is also coming from a four-year stint coaching the Thunderbolt senior women’s State League side.
“It’s completely different,” he said.
“It’s an experience for me too.”
He said the Thunderbolt 14s are endowed with loads of enthusiasm and talent.
“We do have some really talented young girls,” he said.
“That (CPL round in Tamworth) was the first time they’d all played together too. They can only get better.”
