Dragons Playing in the Southern Cross Challenge

This week, when a lot of other junior players are continuing to holiday or enjoying their sleep-ins, Camberwell Dragons U14s, Timothy Castricum, Sam Rendell and Casey Dunstan will be playing in Basketball Victoria’s Southern Cross Challenge (SCC).

Tim and Sam has been selected to represent Vic Metro in this tournament after only one season of representative basketball in 2014/15, whilst Casey has played for the previous two.

The Southern Cross Challenge (SCC) involves some of the best U14 & U15 talent in the country, with Vic Country and Vic Metro fielding a number of teams in both the boys and girls competitions.

The SCC is an outstanding opportunity for players to play with, and compete against, some of Vic Metro’s best athletes. These Vic sides will also take on NSW Metro, SA Metro, SA Country, WA Metro and ACT at the challenge.

The purpose of the SCC is to identify under 14 and 15 players to experience the next step in their basketball pathway, while aiming to develop independent players who are responsible and prepared. The SCC concept is not about winning, but about development.

Tim came to Camberwell Dragons during the tryout period for the 2014/15 season after a number of seasons playing domesticbasketball for the Whitehorse Mustangs in the EDJBA Competition. He had a fantastic first rep season as a bottom-age member of the Dragons 14.2 team where he was coached by Clayton Sturzaker. Tim is a tall, athletic player who has a fantastic, laid-back attitude but a steely determination for the contest and a willingness to listen and learn. His game improved throughout his first season of rep basketball and he has now moved on to be a part of the 14.1s team that has had success through the first grading phase of the new season.

Sam came to play with the Dragons after playing his domestic basketball for the Canterbury Cougars. He was in the U14/3s last season coached by Andrew Johnstone and has developed into a really influential player now playing in Mark Jeffers’ U14/1s alongside Tim. Sam came to the Dragons with great athleticism and thanks to his hard work, determination and Andrew’s guidance he has sharpened up his skills to be a really important piece in his team this year.

After playing in the U14.1 Girls team coached by Cara Jeffers as a bottom-aged player last season it is good to see Casey Dunstan earn her position to compete for Victoria in the SCC. Casey plays her domestic basketball for the Koonung Comets before becoming a Dragon and playing for the last two seasons. She is a great athlete and an even better competitor which makes this achievement no great surprise to those that know her well. Casey’s hard work has seen her improve considerably over the last two seasons with Camberwell and it is great to see this being recognised.

Our Director of Coaching John White said ‘We are excited for Tim, Sam and Casey who have been selected to represent Victoria at the Southern Cross Challenge this year. The opportunity to compete against some of the best players in Australia at such a young age will not only provide a great experience for them, but also further insight into what it takes to get to that next level. Not only will they be surrounded by great players day in day out but they will have great coaches at their disposal that will provide them with new knowledge, skills and techniques to help them develop as athletes. Being recognised to compete at the SCC is the start of what can be a long and exciting pathway through the State Basketball system, we look forward to seeing how Tim, Sam and Casey progress over the tournament and wish them all the very best of luck’.

Tim, Sam, Casey and their SCC teammates will be playing this weekend from Friday through to Sunday at the State Basketball Centre. If you are looking for some basketball action to watch over the weekend get along to cheer them on. Fixtures can be found here. Tim is playing for U14 Boys Vic Metro Blue, Sam is playing in U14 Boys Vic Metro Orange and Casey is playing in U14 Girls Vic Metro Silver.

As a club we would like to congratulate Tim, Sam and Casey again for being selected to represent Victoria at the Southern Cross Challenge. We would also like to emphasise that the only way to be identified for these opportunities is to attend Basketball Victoria camps if you’re lucky enough to be invited.