DANDENONG Rangers stole the show at the under-18 Australian Junior Championships, concluding Saturday after a week-long tournament in Brisbane, Queensland.
Rangers’ under-18 boys representative Michael Wearne was part of the under-18 Vic Metro men’s team that won the men’s championship title – remaining undefeated for the entire tournament – defeating NSW Metro men 63-60.
“I am unbelievably proud of what we achieved in Brisbane,” under-18 Vic Metro men’s head coach Nick Abdicevic said.
“I was confident that the players would give a good account of themselves throughout the championships and was especially pleased with the way that the team structures were adhered to.The players had a special bond and this was certainly a big factor during the time spent in Brisbane.
“To come back from 13 points down in the gold medal game was a fantastic effort and proved that the players were playing solid team orientated basketball and would not give in.”
In other Victorian results, the Vic Country women’s team, featuring Rangers Rachel Antoniadou and Danni Pearce, won the silver medal in the women’s division with Qld North claiming the gold 55-52.The under-18 Vic Metro women’s team, with Dandenong SEABL pair Amanda Meinking and Lauren Scherf, placed fourth to Queensland South 60-66 and the Vic Country men’s team also placed fourth with Tasmania taking out the bronze medal 50-65.
The final Ranger donning a jersey for the championships was New Zealand’s Askani Pirihi, who plays for the Rangers under-18 girls.
