BASKETBALL Victoria has released the list of teams that will compete in the Junior Country Championships at Bendigo in February, with Hamilton Hurricanes boasting boys teams in the Under-18 and Under-16 competitions.

The Hurricanes’ Under-18 squad will be looking to take the next step after it won the division two section back in February at the 2022 championships.

Hamilton Hurricanes Junior Squad Coordinator, Pene Baker said she was excited that both squads were on the list announced by Basketball Victoria earlier this week.

“We are thrilled to have both teams qualify for the Championships, as this what the squads have been working towards,” Baker said.

“The Under-18s won the Division 2 title last February and the squad is basically the same going into these championships.”

“The squad has recorded great results leading into the event with victories in all the lead-up events except for a runner-up finish at the Hamilton tournament.”

The core group of this Under-18 squad has been together since their days in the Under-12s, and over that time they have become a formidable force that has swept all before them this season.

The Under-16s also have a core group that has been together since the Under-12s, but there have been more new players join the squad over the years than that of the Under-18s.

Each squad can boast good form leading into the championships and each has further lead-in tournaments to play in Bendigo and Portland before the Basketball Victoria event, where each squad will hone their skills in preparation for the main event.

A feature of the Under-18 game plan has been the way that coach, Adam Jennings, has his squad defending at such a high level, which has caught the eye of opposing coaches and officials and thus creates attacking opportunities.

Under-16’s coach, Troy Elliott, and assistant coach, Guy Sevior, have their squad also defending well, and its these game plans that will carry each squad deep into the championships.

Hamilton is yet to claim a division one title at the Junior Country Championships.

The Hurricanes’ Under-18 and Under-16 Girls squads have been nominated for the division three and four sections of the championships which will be held later in the new year.