It was a basketball bonanza in Ballarat as the Foot Locker Under-20’s and Ivor Burge Championships came to town showcasing Generation Next.
Competition tipped off on Tuesday January 30 with medal games closing out the tournament on Sunday February 4 at Selkirk Stadium.
CLEAN SWEEP
It was a gold rush for Victoria in Ballarat with the Vics taking home all four gold medals on offer.
Victoria’s Sienna Harvey top scored with 29 points in the Under-20 Women’s gold medal game. Victoria’s 75-59 win over South Australia securing the Arthur McRobbie Trophy.
Victoria captain Austin Rapp (32 points, 13 rebounds) sent the crowd and social media into raptures with a buzzer beater to defeat QLD, 106-104, in a thrilling Under-20 Men’s decider to raise the Jack Terrill Trophy.
In Ivor Burge, Victoria’s Dylan Cheyne celebrated his 21st birthday with a gold medal, the Vics defeating South Australia Men, 83-65, while the Victorian women won gold with a 72-50 victory over NSW.
Click here for full results
FINAL FOOTLOCKER UNDER-20 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS STANDINGS |
||
|
MEN |
WOMEN |
1. |
Victoria |
Victoria |
2. |
QLD |
South Australia Red |
3. |
Tasmania |
NSW |
4. |
South Australia |
QLD |
5. |
NSW |
Victoria Navy |
6. |
WA |
WA |
7. |
South Australia Red |
South Australia Blue |
8. |
ACT |
ACT |
9. |
NT |
|
10. |
NBA Global Academy (didn’t play finals) |
FINAL FOOTLOCKER IVOR BURGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS STANDINGS | ||
MEN | WOMEN | |
1. | Victoria | Victoria |
2. | South Australia | NSW |
3. | Tasmania | South Australia |
4. | NSW | QLD |
5. | QLD | |
6. | WA |
MAGNIFICENT MVP’S
Talent from around the country filled the courts at Selkirk Stadium for six days of championship action with the Bob Staunton Most Valuable Player award presented to Queensland’s Roman Siulepa, who capped a stellar week with 29 points as his state claimed silver.
In Under-20 Women, Bonnie Deas, who averaged 20.5 points for Victoria with her highest score (36 points) coming against NSW in the Semi-Final, was recognised for her form.
Victorians Montana Haag and Jack Innella were crowned MVP of their respective Ivor Burge campaigns.
DEFENSIVE DYNAMOS
Victorian Mia Wilson and South Australia’s Zachary Georg-Dent were acknowledged for their defensive efforts in Ivor Burge with Isla Juffermans (NSW) and Austin Rapp (Victoria) taking out the respective awards in Under-20 competition.
FAMOUS FACES
London 2012 Olympians Jenna O’Hea and Peter Crawford were at the helm of Vic Navy Under-20 Women and QLD Under-20 Men. WNBL star Nyadiew Puoch was in the stands supporting her youngest sister Manuella who was part of the Under-20 Victorian gold medal victory.
Triple Olympic gold medal rower James Tonkins was on the sidelines watching daughter Georgia represent Vic Navy.
WNBA star Jordin Canada popped into Ballarat during the week to watch her WNBL Melbourne Boomers team mates Lily Carmody and Paige Burrows take the court for Victoria.