In with a shot: NSW under-18s players (pictured) will be jostling for positions in the NSW Metropolitan squad to compete at April's National Championships in Brisbane. Picture: Mike Szabath
THE Hills Hornets Basketball Club showed its junior talent last week with 16 players selected in two NSW squads at the 2013 East Coast Challenge.
The three-day tournament was held at Hills Sports Stadium with talent from NSW, ACT, Victoria and South Australia facing off in the under-16s and 18s.
NSW showed good form in both the men's and women's draw with all teams qualifying for the play-offs.
Victoria's two metropolitan teams dominated and edged out NSW's two fancied under-18s for a spot in the final.
"Victoria are very strong in this competition with quick athletic play," NSW metropolitan one under-18s player Jay Green said.
"We've won three games and lost two to finish in the third-place play-off so overall it was a good tournament for us."
Jay, 15, who plays club basketball with the Hills Hornets, said he remains hopeful of being selected in the NSW Metropolitan's National Championships squad.
"I was too young for the championships last time so hopefully I've showed the selectors what I can do at point guard," he said.
Another Hills Hornet hoping for National Championship selection is under-18s point guard Brittnee Sewell.
Brittnee and teammates missed out on the competition's finals with one win against South Australia and three losses to Victoria's two metropolitan teams and NSW.
"We're testing ourselves against the country's best players so regardless of the result it's always good experience to come here and compete," Brittnee said.