Firstly this week, we just need to correct an oversight from last week’s basketball article.
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Bronte Chillingsworth and Emily Tudman also give generously of their time to assist with the Aussie Hoops.
They help with the older group to refine the skills that the kids are learning and are both greatly appreciated, thank you ladies.
Last weekend, there was a taste of representative basketball with scrimmage matches hosted by Maitland Basketball.
Early starts to get to Maitland were evidenced by bleary-eyed parents clutching large takeaway cups waving offspring off to join their fledgling teams.
Said offspring showed no signs of fatigue as past and future teammates came together to create the new groups with whom they will potentially spend the next year.
It was fantastic to see the teams in blue back on the courts, and the U12 Men and U14 Women were the first teams to get a taste of the competition.
There were two teams in each group and they all came onto the court energised and ready to play.
The differences between weekly and representative competition are highlighted by less smiling and more frowns of concentration from the players, but the absolute joy after a successful play is still the same.
The next teams were the U16 and U14 Men with both age groups sporting new coaches, new kids and a take no prisoners’ attitude. The older boys’ games were fast and furious and exciting to watch.
The 14s weren’t quite as fast but they definitely were as exciting. Each of the teams were learning to work with different teammates and identifying strengths that will help them as a team.
Two teams of U18 Men fronted up at Maitland and gave as good as they got showcasing skills honed with years of practice.
The games were all reasonably close and none of the young men gave an inch that was not hard fought.
The U16 Women played with amazing energy and the effort that was given by all team members was definitely a cliché worthy of 110 per cent.
John Ireland from the state league also took some candidates for team places down to Maitland to have an early crack at the Mustangs.
There were a lot of familiar faces in the mix, with a great showing from the past state team members and graduates from the junior rep program.
It was a great atmosphere throughout the stadium and absolutely awesome to hear “1,2,3 Bolts” echo across the courts again.
We are looking forward to another great year of cheering for the Thunderbolts – even if the kids don’t make it in…!
