KP43 -

With your 16 boys tips, you picked two teams from the same pool, guess that makes that one the "Pool Of Death"!

My views for what it's worth:

18 boys - Sturt are in with a real shot. Sandringham will probably start favourites, but this could be the year the SA Sabres finally get over them. The Sandringham/Sturt game should be a semi (if things go to schedule), and it will be a massive game. I think Nunawading (who have improved massively) to defeat Dandy in the other semi. Nunawading/Sturt final.

16 boys - Norwood are the chance from SA here. They are in a difficult pool, with tough Melbourne Tigers in there, but I think they can beat Ballarat (good team though) and Canberra to go through. I also think South have a shot at top 8, as pool A is by far the weakest pool. The lowest ranked SA team, the lowest ranked Vic team and the lowest ranked NSW team in the same pool? Eastern and Sturt are hurt massively by being undermanned - with full lineups either team would be in the mix. Sturt additionally hurt by being in a super-tough pool with the team who should win it (Northern Suburbs) and two quality Vic teams. Overall, this is by far the most even grade, with any of about 8 teams (Dandy, Waverly, McKinnon, Melbourne, Norwood, Ballarat, Diamond Valley, Northern Suburbs) in the mix (would be 10 if Eastern and Sturt had their full groups), but I think Norths to win it.

14 boys - all of the SA teams are well behind the top Vic teams. Sturt the pick of the SA teams and could make the semi's if all goes well, should go top 8. I quite like the North Adelaide group as well and think they could go top 8. WA group a complete unknown so Southern are in a bit of a "mystery pool". Knox should take this grade by a fair way.

12 boys - I haven't seen Melbourne, but I have seen Knox. And they are very good. Again, I've heard the SA teams are a bit off the pace (no evidence either way though), Vic teams to fill out the top 4.

Having said that, best of luck to all of our SA teams over the weekend!

Sturt in U18s ... perhaps, but only if they knock over Melbourne, Waverley and Canberra. These Vic teams are sitting third (7-2) and second (8-1) in their pool and may have other thoughts. Don't forget about Dandenong who are also 8-1 for the season and first in their pool. Sandy and Nunawading will be strong but not invincible.

Here's a bit of a look at the boys side of the draw.

U-12: Melbourne Tigers appear to be the most talented side, with Blackburn not too far behind. Knox are also very strong and are very well coached. Hard to see an interstate team figuring hear. I would think a Knox - Melbourne final. Knox by 5

U-14: Two years ago Werribee were dominant, although Keilor now have their best player and appear to be the strongest team along with Knox. Bulleen are also good and Sturt may feature in the top four. I would think a Knox - Keilor final. Keilor by 8

U-16: The most open age group in recent years. Waverly appear to be the best side, however Vic 8 which is Knox could easily beat Vic 1 in Dandenong. A very even spread of talent through the Vic sides, although I see Waverley as being just above the rest.

The interstate teams are probably the strongest of the lot though. Northern Suburbs are the national champs, and Sturt, Norwood, and Eastern Mavs are very strong. I'm thinking a Waverly/Northern Suburbs - Norwood final, unfortunately the two best sides will meet in the semi though. Northern Suburbs by 9 or Waverley by 5

U-18: Sandringham look to be the best side, with Dandenong, Nunawading, Waverley and Melbourne not too far behind. Sturt would be the only other side I could see coming close to the big 5 from vic. I'm thinking a Sandringham - Nunawading final. Nunawading by 4.

ACT u18 boys

ACT u18 boys (:

#188790 Have to say Sturt in 18's and not too confident about Waverley in 16's. Too many other good sides although Waverley have a freindly draw.

Waverley are playing good ball, but Melb,Knox and a few others could surprise here. Norths vs Melb for mine, Dandenong, Knox, Ballarat, Norwood and Sturt to make up qtrs and semis.

Waverly are definately the strongest Vic team from 16 boys. They are very talented, have a good bench and are very well coached. They beat Melbourne by 25 points in the Eltham Dandenong final earlier this year and have only lost 1 game all season.

The way I would rate the vic teams is:

Waverly
Dandenong
Ballarat
Diamiond Valley
Melbourne
Mckinnon
Knox
Geelong

Ballarat will depend on whether they have a full team, and Knox are mainly bottom age and are found out against some of the bigger sides like D.V and Dandy. Melbourne are good but lack the depth to match the best teams

# 188992

Waverley have been playing well, but I think you are not giving Melb or coach much credit. If it came down to a coach off, there are a few decent ones out there, Knox Coach, Melb Coach ex State Coaches and Interstate teams are good.

Test for Waverley, but they have been playing good basketball this year

I rate both the Melbourne and Knox sides, I just think there are better Vic teams out there. Looking at results and by watching games this year they have both been found out by better sides.

Melbourne should go through, although a full strength Ballarat may push them to second in their pool. I hear Norwood are undermanned and may not be as strong as they were in Adelaide. Either way the Death Group sides should win both games and knock Melbourne/Ballarat/Norwood out.

As for Knox, Dandy will knock them off in the group stage. If they finish second they will more than likely crossover against Waverley, and last time those sides met the margin was 20+

What about Group 3 Sturt, McKinnon and DV all playing second fiddle to Norths ? What do you see happening thyere in that pool ?

Group C is very interesting. Watched Norths last year and they were very impressive. Pretty sure they will finish top of that group. In VC D.V and Mckinnon are pretty close. Mckinnon rely heavily on one player where as D.V go deep and have an ex state coach in charge. D.V should get up over Mckinnon, the tricky part is the Sturt game. At full strength they would be favourite for second, but I hear they are undermanned from what they were in Adelaide. D.V should get 2nd, but don't rule out a 3 way tie with all three on one win.

Coached against Sturt in January and watched them in Adelaide where they were very good, but unfortunately without a full team they may struggle

Possible scenario for 16 Boys

Group A - 1st Dandy, 2nd Knox
Group B - 1st Waverley, 2nd Mavs/Geelong
Group C - 1st Norths, 2nd Diamond Valley
Group D - 1st Melbourne, 2nd Ballarat

Dandy def Mavs/Geelong
Waverley def Knox
Norths def Ballarat
Diamond Valley def Melbourne

Dandy def Diamond Valley
Norths def Waverley

Norths def Waverley

However, if Melbourne beat D.V, they will also beat Dandy. Match ups just work better that way. That will mean Norths def Melbourne in final

Meant to say Norths def Dandy in final

Is Dandy that much better than the others ?

Knox, Mavs, Geel and DV ?

Sturt did a good job to get back against an undermanned D.Valley ( Football carnival ) Big kid was tough and Norths not as potent as everyone thought. Norwood were getting smashed by a Melb team that looked like a MASH unit with all the injuries so Sturt half a chance against Melb

All in all, Classic is a tough weekend of ball but good to see the SA teams come and bring good players and coaches.

Well done to all

I think Pool A and B went to plan with the best teams going through. The death pool C was weakened when Mckinnons best player was injured, which resulted in them not being competitve with the other three. Ballarat were also undermanned, their best player who played Vic Country bottom aged is not playing in the tournament. That seemed to make the difference in the Norwood game

What a great tournament. Well done to Vic Basketball. The standard of the 12-14 Junior classic was very high, particularly on boys side.

Melbourne under 12 boys team were very skilled and showed this when they won their semi by 38 points.

Know were unlucky to loose the finaly but Melbourne just had too many answers and their offence and outside shooting was very good for young kids.

Sturt did well to knock of Sunbury in the playoffs and had they taken that game in the minor rounds they would have been in for a position in the top 8.

Girls side was just as good with some promising talent but the Vics look like they have far too much depth to be threatened by interstate teams.

Basketball looks in good shape with these young kids coming through.

Doesn't the Melbourne Team have an ex SA kid in it?