Mick Kloses on 400

By Marc McGowan
MICK Klose is used to being the centre of attention in his role as point guard for a variety of Dandenong Rangers junior sides over the past four years.
But the 15-year-old was in the spotlight for another reason last month when he suited up for the 400th time for his domestic club side, the Oatlanders Outlaws, last month.
“I’ve won 10 or so premierships, but this is way over the top of my other achievements – nothing compares,” Klose said.
“I’m hoping to get to 600. I reckon that’d be wicked because if I make it to 500 I’d be the first one at the club to do it.”
Nathan Taylor was the first Oatlanders player to manage the 400-game feat and Jessica Ferguson became the third when she reached the milestone two weeks ago.
But while Klose’s team did the right thing and won the match for him, he was disappointed in his own output.
“I didn’t play that well – I was a bit nervous,” the Narre Warren resident said.
“They had a big banner for me playing 400 games and it was on the sidelines to show that number 24 was playing his 400th game.”
The previous biggest highlight of Klose’s burgeoning career was scoring 20 points, including the game winner just before the buzzer, in the Oatlanders’ last premiership.
The Year 9 Eumemmerring College stud-ent’s next goal is to represent his state and he hopes to do so within two years.
And Klose has no doubt as to where he needs to improve.
“My dribbling is my main strength and my speed, but I can’t shoot to save myself,” he said modestly.
“Domestic basketball is just a bit of fun and it’s awesome playing against kids you can show up.
“When I go to Dandenong it’s all serious and it’s a lot tougher competition.”