The under-18 and under-16 boys found the going tough against the best country teams in the state at the Victorian Country Basketball Championships at the weekend.
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Playing in the top division in Bendigo, the under-18 boys were pipped in some tight contests in the group stage before making it through to the semi-final in division two.
Head coach Damien Kilpatrick said his side were unlucky to lose against Taralgon 52-41 and to a last-second shot against Geelong 56-58 in the division one group stage.
“We should’ve won two of our three matches, we had our chances,” Kilpatrick said.
“We just couldn’t score – we were missing easy shots in the paint against Taralgon and they hit some big shots late in the game.
“Geelong then hit a shot right on the buzzer and to beat us, so we had our chances – the boys played really well.”
The under-18s then defeated the Mildura Heat 55-48 before falling in the division 2 semi-final against Myrtleford 59-45.
“We were beating Myrtleford and then one player just got really hot and couldn’t miss,” Kilpatrick said.
“It didn’t matter what we did or how much pressure we put on him. As a spectator it was amazing to watch but as a coach it wasn’t quite so good.”
Horsham Hornets’ players Sam Breuer (15 points per game), Austin McKenzie (13.4) and Harley Pope (9.4) led the way for the side.
The under-16s came close against Seymour and Mildura in the group stage but were unable to get a win for the tournament.
“As the tournament went on we got better, but there were just some bigger and better teams,” Kilpatrick said.
“In division one and two at the state champs there is way more pressure than any other tournament. Unfortunately we didn’t quite adjust and couldn’t quite the result we were after.”
Brody Pope (9.8 points per game) and Max Bryan (7.3) led the scoring for the under-16 boys.
Kilpatrick said he was optimistic about Horsham’s junior basketball chances for next season.