Daniel Cook
Gisborne Bulldogs prodigy Mekenzie Wood has become the only female and the second regional athlete to make the Victorian basketball team for the 2021 Australian School Championships .
The 12-year-old will compete in the championships following an intensive series of try-outs.
Wood’s coach, Central Victoria Basketball Academy coaching director Simon Liebelt, said she is in a class of her own.
“There’s only two country athletes that made it into the state team.
“She’s the only female athlete … that’s made it from this area.”
Liebelt said Wood’s athleticism and dedication was a highlight.
He said Wood regularly trains early in the morning before school starts, and has made remarkable progress since she started playing when she was nine.
“As a player, she’s very much an athlete,” Liebelt said.
“She probably trains harder than any athlete I’ve ever seen before.
“She’s become a premium athlete.
“[Wood is] one of those players that you never have to ask twice. … She just keeps pushing forward to keep being better and better.”
Boys and girls from across Victoria competed for a spot in the team before the final 64 were narrowed down.
Those players attended a two-day skills camp held at Melbourne during the recent school holidays.
“She absolutely deserves this accolade that she’s got,” Liebelt said.
“She doesn’t get [to the state team] without support from her teammates, as well.
“From an academy point of view, we couldn’t be any prouder.”
At the last championships, 168 teams and 2108 athletes participated from across Australia.
Wood’s mother, Rachel, said she was proud of her daughter.
“This is a fantastic achievement,” she said.
The championships will be held from November 28 to December 2 at the Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium on the Gold Coast.
