Hoops

Nationals U18's

Doesn't matter if she is or isn't (she hasn't yet decided) - the same thing applies to any kid in the country.

BA will tell you the college system doesn't develop players. Yet from my vantage point the BA development pathway has fallen apart - right now it's the AIS or nothing.

That doesn't mean development isn't happening anywhere else, clearly it is, but I would suggest that its in spite of BA rather than because of BA.

Just one person's perspective of course.

Yet another BA brainwave - let's pretend that the college path is not a viable option and try and discourage it.

BA's view - young man or woman, you are a basketballer of some talent, but not so much we would ever think about using our funding on you, or even actually talking to you about where your basketball might take you. We would, however, like you at our beck and call to fuel our NBL/WNBL development players and 'underpinning league/s' and think your development is best served by staying in Australia where you can still go to school, accumulate a signficant HECS debt, pay for your own living costs and maybe pick up some petrol money in our second-tier league (probably not at your age though).

Player's view - hmmmm, I can go where they actually seem to want me to play, they will pay for my education and most of my living expenses, I can get a life experience being immersed in the game I love and another culture at the same time, and then come home and start a career and continue playing for petrol money if I so choose.

Sounds like a tough choice to me.

Heaven forbid BA should try and be pro-active and assist players making a choice, keep tabs on their development while they are over there, guide players into programs which will develop players or even work with particular programs in building alliances for alternate pathways.

Off-topic but had to be said - by the way congrats to all the young men and women and played their hearts out at Nationals.

Interesting...I'm not sure how they would stop a college coach or scout from attending the national champs in any case.

I'm not entirely sure as I was not personally there...but I would start with the AIS players and go from there.

LOL - sorry ;)

What was that song by Jimmy Barnes?
-- There ain't no 14th Prize?

The final results:

Men:

Gold/Silver: NSW Metro defeated VIC Metro 50-45
Bronze/4th: SA Metro defeated QLD South 84-60.
5th/6th: WA Metro defeated NSW Country 68-59.
7th/8th: New Zealand defeated VIC Country 61-58.
9th/10th: ACT defeated QLD North 63-59.
11th/12th: NT defeated WA Country 66-64.

Women:

Gold/Silver: VIC Metro defeated SA Metro 70-61.
Bronze/4th: QLD South defeated VIC Country 59-50.
5th/6th: SA Country defeated NSW Country 84-44.
7th/8th: TAS defeated ACT 59-51.
9th/10th: NSW Metro defeated WA Country 56-42.
11th/12th: New Zealand defeated WA Metro 55-51.

Congrats to everyone and NSW Metro Men and VIC Metro Women on winning national titles!

Anon 488 - not at game your right

but the clear opinion is mine - its an opinion
not stated fact
but look at shot chart and give me your opinion

read the review, talk to parents that where there like I did and then put your opinion here.

if your one of the players or coaches - fine - put your opinion here.

everyone is entitled to an 'opinion' in my opinion !

G.Y.G.T. - no I meant the mens final (bad shooting as a whole) but the 3s from way downtown - good option ? bad choices ?

REVHEAD - Im a Vic so no need to SHOUT, I can read - but can you honestly say you know who every anonymous poster is ? is it always the same poster ?

I cant say - and the reply "yadda yadda kid didnt make it - blah blah thanks for reminder" is an inspirational reply, IMO full of well thought out views and opinions and facts to back your claim
.
but cant anyone voice an opinion here
.
I actually agree with anon that coaches and selectors need reviewing after their performance at nats - not because of finishing position or expectation, but because the kids are reviewed every year on their performance so why not the hierarchy.
As stated before sometimes a change is better than a holiday.

is it possible NSW did the same thing in the boys final and shut down the cherry picker/s
or
was shooting 3s from way downtown not the smartest thing to do?

Congrats to Vic Metro and SA Metro girls - great final

Congrats to NSW Metro and Vic Metro boys - well done,
not a great game, but a low scoring game (lotta missed shots) not what I expected from "the best players" but they get to do it 'all over' next year.....

oh and Revhead - great reply - inspirational

but I have to say - sometimes a change is as good as a holiday

Yes, it is the son of Cecil...

AFAIK, there are 3 x AIS scholarship holders on the men's side:

Mirko Djeric / NSWM / AIS
Dante Exum / VICM / AIS
Darcy Harding / NSWC / AIS

Not sure about the women's side...

Who are the standout players in the men's? Anyone have a chance at representing the Aussie Boomers in the future?