HORSHAM Hornets’ under-16 boys have fallen just short of defending their state title after losing to the Bendigo Braves in the final of the Basketball Victoria Country Junior Championships in Shepparton on Sunday afternoon.
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The juniors came into the tournament as reigning champions and the number one ranked side, after winning two years ago as under-14s, where they also played against Bendigo in the final.
The Hornets kept with the Braves for much of the game, but struggled to edge in front in the second half.
Bendigo hung on for the victory 44-37 in a close contest.
Coach Damien Kilpatrick said he could not be more proud of the boys’ efforts throughout the weekend.
“It was a great tournament and the boys played some exceptionally good basketball, we just fell short in the end,” he said.
Kilpatrick said the final against Bendigo was played at a very high quality.
“It was intense, it was a tough final. We had a semi-final an hour before the final which was also a tough game,” he said.
“For the side to come out and play another 40 minutes an hour later at a high intensity, just shows their level of fitness.
“We have played 24 games of basketball as a team this year at tournament level and we have won 23, I can’t ask for anymore than that.”
Despite the loss, it was a successful tournament for Horsham, with the side earning their way into division one for the second day of competition after finishing on top of Pool A on Saturday with three wins from three games.
Kilpatrick said the success of the team would not be possible without the coaching staff that work behind the scenes.
“I need to thank all of the coaching staff that have helped out with this team,” he said.
“I have a development in coach in Molly Lakin, assistant coach in Sally Bryan and a team manager in Sally McKenzie. They are there every training session and have been vital in helping this team and allowing me to focus on game day. Without them the success this would not have been possible.”
Kilpatrick said he could not be more proud of what the team achieved throughout the tournament and up to this point in the season.
“Devastated is not a word that comes to mind when I think of this loss in the final – we are proud and ecstatic with how the team went,” he said.
“We were equal favourites with Bendigo heading into the tournament, and to come away with second is a great achievement.”