@weedy i know these are development tournaments, but who's the early favourites and which talent should we be looking our for? Boys/girls

i wonder how they'll split the teams.

I'm interested to see the u14 Girls tournament. A very strong South Adelaide team that has a real chance of winning the u14 Nationals provide a number of this contingent. I want to see how their players go against stronger opposition because the District competition is just passing time for them (without any challenge whatsoever) till they can have interstate competition (Easter Classics, NJC and Nationals). It will be a good chance to see where they stand against the benchmark set by others, without being all together (as I assume they'll be split to some degree).

The u15 Girls will be interesting to see how things might have evolved since last year. Vic were easily the strongest without even putting a strong team together becuase they spread their talent out across several teams. SA and WA had a close thing going on. SA had a stronger team and a weaker one, so not sure how they will set up for this one. If they split evenly then they might not show too much result wise. I'm keen to see NSW Country and the Illawara girls who were so impressive at Nationals recently. You might deduce that the NSW Country team must be reasonably strong to not have more of the Nationals winners in their line up at this point.

BV has released the selection for Vic Metro.

does anyone know where the U16 nationals is next year?

@Bluey I've been told by a HP Manager that its destined for Adelaide, but purely based on the seating for the new state basketball centre. If they cant get the funding and retractable grandstands built in time it'll move to another state..

That would be disappointing for Adelaide if that's the case!

cost wise, much better for most families if it's in Adelaide instead of Perth. Hopefully they get it ready in time, too many U16's in Perth of recent times for mine.

I believe the process is whoever host the tournament has it for 2 years.. So its due to move.
I've heard second hand if Adelaide doesn't get the seating sorted it could head to Ballarat..Dont hold me to this !

thanks Frogface, I won't hold you to it, but I hope your mail is good

Heard the players have been told if they have made the first NT camp. Anyone know anything more? I cant find any lists online.

@weedy ... I believe that's been the case..
Only heard from SA connection.. can’t find the list online either !

Keira Gardiner
Aspen Crase
Coco Hodges
Sienna Lehmann
Abby Jones

Ethan McDermott
Kale Hampton-Matthews
Issac Riddle
Alex Dickson
Koby Mior

Off the top of my head so apologies if I’ve missed someone…

sorry i meant @Bballfan

No somfai on sa list?

Possibly, i have second hand information. Not sure what there plans are now shes heading to college by the looks.

The CoE must be furious about how they've been used by LS so no surprise if she is not selected - although that is their fault entirely. It would have been common knowledge there was a flight risk.

Had a few people tell me when she was selected that this would happen - was told by former team mates families that everyone is just a supporting cast for the LS story.

But, opens a door for somebody else who would relish a NT place.

What can you do when better options are available?

The Coe on the women's side needs to die. They can’t lure the big players and so reward the 2nd tier or 5th tier given how shite the scouting is.

The training is not up to scratch, it’s a free ride through the jr national teams and colleges are beginning to see that going to the Coe means very little.

Outside of basketball, it’s a steep learning curve and helpful to some degree but it’s also detrimental. Being away from family and friends for long periods is not healthy.

A state based nbl1 npp side with elite training every week and access to medical, physio and good nutrition would solve this problem.

@weedy...…Do you know what option has been taken in this case?

For LS no, for a few of others, yes.

Can you share? I'm interested in what the best players are choosing to do.....if they don’t see the CoE as the place to be.

Local State based trainers.

Thanks.

How many are we talking about going this route?

Are they still on an elite path to the NCAA or WNBL?

Yes, still on the path to college or wnbl.

@weedy have you heard or know the full squad invited to Canberra in January?

"A state based nbl1 npp side with elite training every week and access to medical, physio and good nutrition would solve this problem."

Like the idea, and there lies one of the biggest issues, current NPP nothing more than an extra hour of court access per week, without intensity or corrective actions. Better coaching and programs outside of NPP, sad but true. System needs a shake down.

Therea are lots of ways all HP programs could be improved, the problem is they all involve decentralization, which would put the people making that decision, and/or their colleagues, out of work.

Funding aside, what would people think of a 'youth league' type set up where NPP programs play against other state? Maybe travel once a month or every two months?

I’d like to see NBL/WNBL DP’s and training players play in the reserves competition as a separate team, maybe a also a HPP team play in the reserves competition as well?