It's a reasonable assumption that Charlie Whale's head is spinning like the ball on the tip of his finger.
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The St Nicholas' Tamworth Year 6 student is set to don the blue of his state later this year after being named in the NSW Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) team.
Whale's selection coup is the result of an impressive performance for Polding at the recent state carnival in Maitland, and will see him heading to Bendigo in August to play at the School Sport Australia 12&U Championships.
He was one of two Polding players selected in the NSW side following their fifth-place finish, and was, despite being pretty happy with how he played, "very surprised" to hear his name read out.
It was his first time away with the Polding side, which comprises players from Catholic schools across the northern half of the state.
Playing as a point guard, Whale was a key cog in their attack.
"We dribble down the court and set up the plays," he said.
He has been playing basketball since he was "four or five", following older siblings Grace and Toby into the sport.
Asked what he loves about the sport, Charlie replied: "How quick the game is and how many friends you can make out of it."
Locally he plays for Calrossy in the junior high school competition on Wednesdays, and St Nic's in the primary competition on Thursdays and is also part of the Tamworth Thunderbolts 14s Division 1 team.
Also a pretty talented cricketer, Whale won the batting average for the Tamworth under-12 Blues in the recently completed season.
North West also contested the state carnival, with the Jono Willis-coached side finishing 11th after beating North Coast 36-30 in their play-off game.
It was their second win for the carnival after defeating Barrier on the first day 39-24.
"It was a really good week for them, they played well," Willis said.
He said they improved a lot over the week, although did note that overall he thought their fundamentals were a bit better than in previous years.
"I did a lot of teaching and coaching on the run and they picked up those things on the run," he said.
Timbumburri's Reid Humble was their most valuable player in what was his third and final year in the side.
"He was our point guard. I thought he did a good job under pressure, helped us get the ball over half way.
"But I was happy with all the kids, they all contributed in some way," Willis said.
Tamworth's Division 2 Thunderbolt sides, meanwhile, enjoyed a successful weekend when Tamworth hosted round two of the Northern Junior League.
The under-18 and under-16 boys and under-12 girls led the way, with all picking up three wins.