Junior eagles soar to victory
• U12 division 3 boys winners. Back: Hayley Heazlewood (coach) Beau Styles, Darcy Kitchin, Andy Heazlewood and Alyssa Curtayne (training coach). Front: Taylor Heazlewood, Wesley Styles and Jariah Lockhart.
• U16 division 2 runners up. Back: Adara Hall, Bridee Mather, Taia Lette and Clint Lette (coach). Front: Zali Lette, Cadele Harris, Ruby Hall and Jorden Harris. Absent Naomi Harris.
By Taylor Clyne
September 30, 2020
After a challenging start to the season due to Covid-19 and newfound restrictions, the Dorset Eagles still managed to put their names on the map walking away grand final winners in the junior 10-week shortened roster.
Matches were played in Launceston with local parents making the weekly trek for their basketballers to front up against some of the best the Northern competition has on offer.
Whilst the shortened roster saw less sides take up the challenge it was pleasing to see Dorset submit three strong teams with an under 16 girls, under 12 boys and under 14 boys.
Team manager Ebony Styles said the under 12 division three boys went into their grand final against Westside Trojans undefeated for the season.
“Scoring was low and at quarter time the game was tight with everything bouncing out for both teams.
“Dorset settled their nerves in the second quarter gaining a nice little lead and putting some new skills that they had learnt throughout the season into practice,” she said.
They went on to take out the win with the final score 23-16.
The under 16 division two girls weren’t as lucky with their grand final a close one again the Devils.
They were able to hold even in the first quarter but by half time the Devils had taken the off with a lead.
In the last quarter of the grand final they made a comeback, but the run was a bit too late going down by 7 points at the final siren 26-19.
Despite the under 14 division two boys not making the finals they played off a minor ladder position to finish with great improvement and effort over the season.
The North Eastern Junior Basketball committee will be entering teams in the 2021 roster commencing in March, for all interested players please contact North East Junior Basketball Facebook page.