The Junior Country Championships (JCC) concluded a thrilling three months of competition held across Bendigo and, for the first time, Mildura. This year’s JCCs saw a remarkable turnout and reach across the state, with nearly 3300 athletes, from 339 teams, representing 52 associations. The tournament showcased exceptional basketball talent across all age divisions, from Under 12s right through to the top Under 18 Division One players.
A permanent fixture on Basketball Victoria's calendar since the late 1960s, the JCCs have consistently served as a launching pad for country athletes who have risen to national and international acclaim, including Jack White, Jade Melbourne, Dyson and Dash Daniels, Jaz Shelley, Matthew Dellavedova, Shaun Bruce, and Mitchell Creek, among others.
Sarah Szczykulski, Country Competitions Coordinator at Basketball Victoria, notes the rise in the strength of competition among country associations, "The past three months have showcased country basketball, with awesome team participation and tough on court battles. Throughout the tournaments, spectators were treated to some nail-biting games, with numerous matches extending into overtime, including a memorable triple overtime showdown in the Under 14s division.”
Scheduling the Under 14 Championship to the north of the state gave Mildura the opportunity to host this prestigious event the first time and the local basketball community could showcase the new Mildura Sporting Precinct. The preparation of the facilities and the support throughout the lead up to the event and during the weekend by the Mildura Basketball Association is to be commended.
Hosting the Under 14 Championship in a new location gave the families, teams and associations the chance to experience a different part of the state and explore what the region had to offer. We are hoping we can replicate the Under 14 Championship and bring it back to Mildura again in future. Szczykulski extends her admiration to all participating associations and their respective teams for their dedication and contributions to yet another spectacular year.
The 2024 championships witnessed some breathtaking moments, including, Swan Hill reclaiming the Under 12 Division One title, marking their first triumph in this category since 1983, which serves as a testament to Swan Hill's resurgence in the sport, and reaffirms they are a force to be reckoned with.
Whilst in Mildura the Bendigo Under 14 girls fought hard all weekend to go into their grand final undefeated, they kept their winning streak to finish off their tournament with the Division 1 Championship crown. The Under 18 Boys Division 1 Championship provided ‘on the edge of your seat’ basketball with Leongatha defeating Geelong United by 1 point thanks to a buzzer beater in their semi final.
This year also saw some comeback stories that are truly inspiring. Port Fairy made their return to the JCC's after a number of years of not competing. Their teams were strong on court and made their presence felt, with their Division 4 Under 12 Boys team and their Division 5 Under 14 Boys both making semi finals.
Congratulations to all athletes, associations, and families whose passion and support made this year's championship experience a memorable one.
To view all the Under 12 Division Champions click on the link:
To view the Under 14 Division Champions click here:
To view the Under 16/ 18 Division 3,4,5 Champions click here:
To view Under 16/18 Division 1 and 2 Champions click here:
Check out the full gallery of all the 2024 JCC tournaments here:
Coming up on the BV calendar we have the National Junior Classic (NJC), the Champions Cup and the Under 16 Nationals!
