My Under 20's Experience
I had a fantastic opportunity this year to be part of the under 20 National Champions held in Townsville, coached by the wolves own Brad Kidner. It was a 10 day trip where we would face off against 5 other states.
We finished 2nd in our pool just behind NSW which meant we had to match up against QLD in the cross over final. QLD was an extremely talented side with 7 players holding AIS scholarships and through their pool games, were never challenged and defeating teams by no less than 30pts. We WA boys were fired up to verse the tournament favourites . We played probably our best game of the tournament and were only down by 4pts with only a few minutes to go but unfortunately ran out of steed towards the end of the game and lost in the end by just 9pts. This meant we played in the bronze medal match against VIC and unfortunately played our worst game of the tournament.
This was the first time I had ever played in a state team (first time I had made it past the first cut) so I wanted to make the most of it. I trained extra hard and got to peak fitness level. I knew before hopping on the plane that I would be playing off the bench and I didn’t expect I would get a lot of court time so I had to impress every minute on court, consequently I ended up “starting” in the last 3 games.
Although the loss to the VIC’s was a disappointing way to end the tournament, the whole trip was one of the best experiences of my life. My team was filled with players I hardly knew and little did I know these guys were some of the best bunch of blokes going around! (yes, coaches and manager included) I definitely grew and progressed so much as a player. I got to play amongst some of the best players in Australia, players like Jordan Paige, Jason Cadee, Matthew Dellavedova and Cody Ellis who all no doubt will have professional basketball careers ahead of them.
It’s important for you young wolves players to never give up and always try your best. I got knocked back to play WABL year after year growing up, but I worked hard and never gave up. Just a few years later I was playing for my state!
Maxi
This was the first time I had ever played in a state team (first time I had made it past the first cut) so I wanted to make the most of it. I trained extra hard and got to peak fitness level. I knew before hopping on the plane that I would be playing off the bench and I didn’t expect I would get a lot of court time so I had to impress every minute on court, consequently I ended up “starting” in the last 3 games.
Although the loss to the VIC’s was a disappointing way to end the tournament, the whole trip was one of the best experiences of my life. My team was filled with players I hardly knew and little did I know these guys were some of the best bunch of blokes going around! (yes, coaches and manager included) I definitely grew and progressed so much as a player. I got to play amongst some of the best players in Australia, players like Jordan Paige, Jason Cadee, Matthew Dellavedova and Cody Ellis who all no doubt will have professional basketball careers ahead of them.
It’s important for you young wolves players to never give up and always try your best. I got knocked back to play WABL year after year growing up, but I worked hard and never gave up. Just a few years later I was playing for my state!
Maxi
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