SWAN Hill’s Junior Flyers are even more impressive than first believed, with a total of 11 local junior teams taking part in last weekend’s tournament in Wodonga.
The Guardian incorrectly reported that only six teams made the journey to Albury-Wodonga.
There were also two under-12 teams, two under-14 teams and an under-16 boys team.
Four of those sides went up against the region’s best junior basketballers in division one, including the under-14 boys who fell just short of a grand final victory.
After defeating the Shepparton Gators in the semi-final thanks to a 10-point performance from Wilhem Foott, the Flyers boys faced the hometown team in the final.
The under-12 boys finished runners up to the Wodonga Wolves, 35 to 29, despite 13 points from Lucas Pay and Deacon Roberts’ 11-point performance.The pair were standout performers for their side, Pay topping the scoring table for the division with 52 points and Roberts not far behind in fourth place with 38 points.
The under-12 girls showed their strength in division two, just missing out on the finals after winning three of their four matches.
In division one, the under-14 boys managed a single victory over Myrtleford Saints in their first game of the tournament.
Hamish Lawry’s nine points, Chayse Worner’s eight points and Lucas O’Reily’s seven points led the boys to a four-point victory.
Lawry was one of the division’s top scorers, finishing fourth in the division with 37 points, a single point behind third place.
The under-14 girls won all of their division one pool games but were unlucky to meet a strong Wodonga side in the semi-finals.
Four points each to Evie Kelly and Lola Patterson were unable to guide the girls into the grand final.
The Flyers under-16 boys were unable to take flight in their division one clashes, their only win coming in their first game against Echuca Pirates.
Bryce Anderson’s 11 points and Julian Muir’s nine points were enough to lead the boys to a four-point victory.
Tournament play is almost over for the young Flyers this year, with the under-16 boys and girls heading to Bendigo this weekend for their final tournament of the season.
The Guardian apologises to the teams, players, coaches and parents whose achievements went not reported in Tuesday’s edition.
