BRIGHT FUTURES: Budding Wimmera basketball talents Mikayla McAuliffe, left, Thomas Berry, Chloe Bibby, Aily McAuliffe and Charlie Wilson represented Vic Country in various under-age national competitions this month. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
THE Wimmera was well-represented at the Southern Cross Challenge in Ballarat and Australian Junior Country Basketball Cup in Albury on January 19 and 20.
Five of the region's brightest talents, Chloe Bibby, Mikayla McAuliffe, Thomas Berry, Charlie Wilson and Aily McAuliffe, all represented country Victoria in various age groups.
Chloe captained the Vic Bushrangers under-16s girls to a gold medal in Albury, helping her side defeat Vic Goldminers 67-46 in the final.
The Warracknabeal youngster said she enjoyed taking up the challenge of a leadership role.
"It was great. The girls really listened and we became like a family by the end of it," Chloe said.
Chloe, who recently had a month-long tour of America, said she could not get enough of basketball. "I love
basketball it's a passion and I can't live without it," she said.
Sisters Mikayla and Aily McAuliffe, both of Horsham, represented the Vic Settlers under-18s and Vic Goldminers under-15s respectively.
The Settlers finished seventh out of 14 teams and the Goldminers finished fifth in their pool.
Both sisters said they enjoyed testing themselves against some of the best young basketballers in the country.
"This was my first year of under-18s and the level of competition and the athleticism of the players is just incredible," Mikayla said.
Horsham's Thomas Berry and Warracknabeal's Charlie Wilson were both involved in the under-14s Vic Bushrangers side.
Thomas said it was a great experience to make new friends from around Australia.
Charlie said a highlight of the tournament was coming within six points of eventual winners Vic Metro 2.
The Bushrangers secured a top-four finish out of seven teams.
Jordan McArdle