Basketball: Tamworth under-16s boys take three wins and a loss away from Junior Premier League opening round

The Thunderbolts were just seconds away from returning with an unbeaten record, forcing Illawarra into overtime in their final game. They went down 84-80 in the end to finish with three wins and the one loss.

It was above all expectations.

Ireland said he and Parsons were content not coming away with a win as long as the boys played hard and pushed their opposition. As far as they were concerned they had already achieved what they set out to in qualifying for the JPL.

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"We as a group set ourselves a goal to make JPL, which is the top six country sides, plus Canberra, taking on the top six metro sides," he said.

"Any success beyond that was beyond our expectations."

At this stage it is really about developing their games.

"For this group of kids playing at this level is what's going to make them better," Ireland said.

He said they were "outstanding" on the weekend and noted that they beat a "couple of powerhouses".

Starting with a 77-58 win over the Newcastle Falcons, they then beat an albeit "very understrength" Maitland 70-38 and Canberra 77-62.

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It was a "great start" and has Ireland very excited for the season, not just because of the results but the way that they played.

"They're just a quality group of kids across the board that play for each other and with each other when they're on the court," he said.

That unity was one of the things that most impressed him.

"The trust within the group to get the job done is what's most impressive," he said.

"It's really pleasing to watch in such a young age group."

The next round is on April 30 and May 1 in Wollongong. The round after that they will start to face the metro teams.

Ireland said it is hard to know how they will match up against them but knows that they "won't back down".

"They're absolute competitors," he said.

The long time Thunderbolts men's coach returned to the junior coaching fold last season taking on the under-14s girls side.

"It's been rejuvenating," he said.

"Whilst I loved my years coaching the senior men (and experienced some great success) it's a completely different style of coaching when coaching juniors.

"It's about juggling the fundamentals while still teaching the game.

"When you're coaching older athletes they already all have the fundamental skills, it's more putting the pieces of the puzzle together."

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