Breuer and McKenzie played with the Victoria Bushrangers under-18 team and finished in third place for the tournament.

The side defeated the New South Wales Waratahs in a third placed playoff after losing to the NSW Kookaburras in the semi-final.

McKenzie and Breuer both played well as bottom aged athletes. McKenzie averaged 6.6 points per game while Breuer averaged 9. McKenzie said he enjoyed playing with his Horsham Hornets teammate at the event.

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“It was great playing with Sam, we both know how each other play,” McKenzie said.

“Let him run the floor like we usually do it for the Hornets. He was shooting the ball really well all week.”

Brody Pope also played well for the Victoria Goldminers under-16 team. Pope averaged 8.2 points per game across the tournament as the side finished in the top five.

McKenzie said the quality opponents he faced at the tournament showed him where he needed to improve.

“There were people who were a lot taller and a lot stronger than me, who could just push me around a bit,” McKenzie said.

“Especially because I was bottom age it was a bit harder than it usually is.

“I need to work on that – just with a bit more gym work.”

The tournament was an opportunity for the youngsters to impress for the selection of the Victorian Country under-16 and under-18 state teams. 20 Victorian players from each age-group went to the tournament while 10 will be selected for Vic Country.

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McKenzie said he was hopeful of making the squad despite being a bottom-age player.

“This age group two years ago didn’t perform very well at the nationals and that was mostly full of top age players,” he said. “I’m not sure if that will change how the coaches select players.

“I can only hope.” 

McKenzie said they were expected to find out whether or not they had made the Victorian Country teams in the coming days.