Under 18s men Preview and Predictions

This is my preview of what i think will happen at the under 18s national tournament and who will win the title.

Pool A
ACT
NSW Metro
New Zealand
QLD North
Vic Metro
SA Country
WA Metro

Pool B
TAS
WA Country
NSW Country
NT
Vic Country
QLD South
SA Metro

Pool A

ACT
The boys from ACT are quite a small unit. They will be run the court and play alot pressure defense. If the boys fom the capital want to be successful at nationals they will have to rebound the ball and play great interior defense. With 5 returning bottom age players returning from last year they will be experienced and tough. Ben White will be the main scorer for ACT but will need support in scoring department with loss of star player patrick mills from last year.

NSW Metro
NSW metro have 4 returning player from last years 4th place finish at nationals which is a scarey thought for all. Wetherbee, Conguista, Tomilinson and Duinker will lead from the front along with all australian bottom age player Shane Harris Trunks. The boys from sydney are along with WA Metro the sharp shooters of the country. Although Tomilinson is not a great point guard he has good support and with there front court this team could go very far.

New Zealand
The kiwis are always a very tough a physical team with lots of strength and speed. This year the kiwis have alot more talent than past years and can definantly make an impact against the heavy weights of the competition. With bottom age stars Zach Makivtolgia and Dion Prewster playng this year lookout for the kiwis to pull some big upsets.

QLD North
One of the weaker teams in the comp but you knowing the boys from north they will be hard working and smart. QLD North have always been well coached and when the there is the talent there they can really perform. Unfortuantly this year it is abit lacking with both of the cedar brothers and steven weigh all moving on. Big duncan webbly is a giant and will be a main focus for QLD North and look for him toclean the glass this year

Vic Metro
Its hard to see anyone beating these guys this year. With captain and emu's player Zach Natoli leading his troops around the court they will run the floor hard and excute with deadly precision. The typical victorian smarts have proven in previous years that they can take care of bigger players even with a small squad. Ben healy and Joshua Ashman will be the main focus in the front court for the vic's and bryce arnott and natoli in the backcourt.

SA Country
When i looked at the team list for SA Country i did not see thomas Huxley. IF anyone knows what has happened to him i would love to know. He has been in great form for sturt this year and was very much in contention for an all australian selection this year. There is no doubt that country are the weaker of the SA teams but having said that there blue collar work ethic will carry them far. Even though they are a little bit undersized they can still rebound the ball well and play good d. My only worry about them is getting the scoring done. Without Seebohm and Dodman from last year they will need o find a good one on one scorer and now without huxley its not looking good for the country boys.

WA Metro
Will definantly be the best run and gun team at nationals this year. They play without a concern and shoot the ball without hesitation. These guys will not die wondering and with great shooter like illadias, smith and armour they will definantly be one of the top 5 this year. They are very undersized and will need to amke up for that with great defnse and rebounding. Bottom age superstar Cody ellis and Luke Ford will have to do this and if they can there is no reason why they cant go all the way.

Pool B

Tasmania
They will surprise alot of people this year at nationals. Emu's player Cameron Witt will be one of the best players at nationals this year and can certainly score alot of points. With its 3 best player returning from last year this team is very balanced and have played together alot. They are a good size team and can play good d. There outside shooting is abit of a worry and if they can shoot a decent percentage they will get some big time upsets

WA country
Although they are not a talented group they can definatly play together and play great team defense. Emu's player Cameron Gliddon will lead this team and if he can perform as well as he did last year they will definantly overacheive. They are quite good shooter and push the fast break alot. There are poor interior defenders and struggle on the rebounds.

NSW Country
The boys from the country are without a doubt the most talent squad on paper at nationals. Taylor Goodall, James Quinn, Alex Gynes, Dominque Cooks, Dane Hillman and Brad Simpson are the all star cast from country. If these guys can play together and under pressure they will win nationals but they are still struggling to do this. Taylor Goodall is a force on the inside and they wont be many if any who can sto him once he gets going.

NT
What can i say its NT. They wont do much at nationals just because they dont have the players. They will still try hard and compete with some teams but still probably wont win a game

Vic Country
This years dark horse for the title in my opinion. They have alot of talent in this group and are underestimated by alot of people. They are a very big team and have some great defensive guards and can shoot the ball well. There is no real weakness in this team but having said that they have no real big stength. If they can find something that works for them they will be effective at nationals. Tim Martin and Collier will be there main scorers along with marc goodwin.

QLD South
If Vic Country is one of the most under rated team then sorry to say this guys are the most over rated team. The problem is not on the offense end but the defense for these guys. There is no doubt that they can score but without defense they wont win didly squat. Lookout for bottom age gun brendan teyes. Good scorer and shooter.

SA Metro
The home state and won't they have alot to cheer for if these guys can put together what foundations have been laid. They have a very big squad this year and as well all know you cant teach people how to grow. SA Metro have always been a emtional team and with the home crowd who are intimidating away from home, playing infront of their own crowd will just make them better. My only concern is that harri harvey. Im not sure if he can match it with any of the Vic's or New South Welshmen. Harri is no where near the best guard there but if he can be solid sa metro could make finals.

Predictions
1st - Victoria Metro
2nd - NSW Metro
3rd - Victoria Country
4th - NSW Country
5th - SA Metro
6th - WA Metro
7th - TAS
8th - New Zealand
9th - ACT
10th- QLD South
11th- SA Country
12th- WA country
13th- QLD North
14th- NT

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