Heading into Saturday’s Big V all-star origin game, Sunbury Jets’ Josh Grabham was looking forward to playing against one player more than any other: his Jets’ division 1 teammate Mitchell Newton.
“It’s pretty competitive with Mitch,” Grabham said before the match. “There’s been a little bit of banter going on.”
In fact, Grabham had the last laugh with the country cousins taking the win 82-74. Coming off the bench, Grabham scored two points and had two rebounds, while Newton scored three points and had five rebounds for the metro side.
Grabham was surprised to be selected in the inaugural origin game, which selects players from all three men’s and youth league divisions.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s new this year and it seems to be a good thing. I want to be part of it for years to come.”
Grabham said he’d had a rough idea who he’d be playing against.
“They’ve got some different skills and they are players I want to learn off.
“It was a bit of a surprise to be nominated, and [it] feels pretty good they [the club] has faith in me.”
Selection in the metro-origin side caps off a big 12 months for the 17-year-old, who thought this year would be spent with the Jets’ youth side.
Last year, he played one division 1 match.
“I thought I was playing youth league this year, but I spent the pre-season training with the senior team.
“And they selected me!
“It’s great to get that experience playing in the seniors.
“Everything is a bit quicker. The coaches have helped develop my skills and my game.”
The move into the seniors also means a change of position for Grabham.
“I’ve been playing point guard so I’ve had to improve my vision,” he said.
“I played a little bit of point guard last year but was more on a wing.
“I’ve got to run sets for Ish [Sanders], and I want to get the ball to him and get the assist.
“It’s about getting it to him in the right spot.”
It isn’t just at the Jets that the Gisborne Secondary College year 12 student demonstrates his talent.
In August, he will represent Victoria’s 18-and-under team at the School Sport Australia basketball championships.
“It’s pretty cool to be selected in the top 10 players in the state,” he said.
After the weekend off, the Jets return to the court this weekend.
The women’s side faces Latrobe City on Saturday night at Boardman Stadium, while the men travel to Melton on Sunday.
