By Tara Murray
The Central Victoria Basketball Academy tasted success at its first ever tournament.
Four teams representing the academy travelled to Swan Hill for the Swan Hill Junior Tournament late last month.
The academy was set up earlier this year to give children in the Macedon Ranges a place to get high level skills and training. Teams were then chosen from academy members.
The under-16 boys went through the tournament undefeated and made it through to the grand final against YM Lakers. The CVBA was too strong in the final game, winning 37-22 to take out the title. Ben Thompson won the finals most valuable player.
Coach Patrick Veitch said they developed as a team as the tournament went on.
The under-16 girls also made it through to the grand final after going through the regular games undefeated. They lost the grand final to Deniliquin Giants in the thriller, losing 26-23. Brooke Vogle and Teagan Colliver averaged 7.4 points a game each for the CVBA.
The under-14 girls also made the grand final having gone through the regular games undefeated. They lost the grand final to the Bendigo Braves, 27-19. CVBA’s Maisy Hater lead all scorers in that age group, with 65 points at an average of 10.83 per game.
The under-14 boys missed out on finals, but finished on a high with a win in their final game.
