• For the full list of award winners from the Camberwell Dragons Girls Program, including coaches’ comments, click HERE.
Camberwell Dragons coaches share their thoughts on our 2025 Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) season award winners.
UNDER 12 BOYS
12.1 Boys
Most Valuable Player – James Peterson
“James has been a dominant force in the paint, consistently defending shots, finishing around the rim and rebounding over everyone. This team wouldn’t be the same without him!”
Coach’s Award – Oliver Couchman-Yagi
“Ollie has been extremely consistent throughout the season. Every bit of feedback received, he would apply it straight away and keep improving himself as a player. His attitude is exactly what any coach is after and we are lucky to have him!”
Words by coach Jaden Lai.
12.2 Boys
Most Consistent Player – Jayden Lin
“A boy that consistently wants to improve and get better but has also been a standout each week across the board.”
Coach’s Award – Brock Dierkx
“Born a leader, this boy knows when to listen but also when to apply. Helping others and improving himself at the same time.”
Words by coach Caleb Lingwood-Smith
12.3 Boys
Coach’s Award – Luke Farrant
“Luke is the player who has a positive effect in both defence and offence. His passion for basketball really helped the whole team. Luke always liked to share his ideas with coaches and his teammates and he played like a fighter even when he was just back from injury.”
Coach’s Award – Haoyue Shen
“Hao is a very coachable player and really wanted to contribute to the team, whether he was on the court or the bench. He worked hard on his skills and improved throughout the whole season. Hao always came to the stadium early to warm him up to get ready for the game; this habit made him an athlete who always played at a high level.”
Words by coach Josh Crosisca.
12.4 Boys
Most Valuable Player (Joint) – Patrick Oakley
“Pad has been phenomenal this year. He is a dominant centre who commands the paint with authority – owning rebounds and delivering consistent scoring inside. This award is to recognise the physicality that Pad has contributed to the team predominantly with his dominance in the key.”
Most Valuable Player (Joint) – George Gavrikoff
“George (known to us simply as ‘G’) is awarded this award for his ultimate playmaking skills. He has an elite basketball IQ, drives fearlessly to the rim and has precision passing skills. G reads the game like a maestro, setting the tone for creativity, courage and relentless commitment.”
Words by coach Nathan Cutts.
12.5 Boys
Most Determined Player – Anderson Beh
“Throughout the season Andy showed great grit and determination. He has showed not only willingness to improve his skills, but also willingness to give everything on the floor. While his skill has come a long way, what is most impressive about his performance is his effort, energy and eagerness to put his body on the line. He listens well and it has help him improve not just individually, but uplifts also the entire team through his energy and hustle.”
Defensive Player of the Year – Sean Deng
“Sean is a great offensive player. However, as a coach, watching Sean’s defensive impact is a joy. He is a smart and tenacious defender and he uses his size and quickness to creat havoc for the other teams offence. You can ask Sean to go tag any player and he will do his best to limit his scoring. Nowadays, everybody can score, but having a player who can sit in the chair and play D is less common and Sean does it so well.”
Words by coach Savi Kannangara
12.6 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Jason Bai
“A well-measured guard, Jason can do it all. He rebounds, scores, assists, defends and handles the ball well and importantly has a grown as a young boy over the last year together. He always holds himself accountable and tries to be a great teammate. Congratulations, Jason!”
Most Improved Player – Mathew Li
“Matt has shown tremendous growth from the start to the end of our time together. He has become a much better defender and is a good scorer, developing a solid jump shot over the year. He is dedicated to the game, polite, attentive and tries his best for himself and his teammates. Well done, Matt!
Words by coach Seb Scicluna.
12.7 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Hamish Pawsey
“Hamish consistently stepped up when it mattered most all season, hitting two game-winners on the buzzer as well as numerous other big shots and steals. Hamish was a game changer all season.”
Best Defensive Player – Lachlan Huang
“Lachlan consistently took on the toughest defensive match-up each week, often locking down the opposition’s best player, regardless of their size. He made countless huge stops that made a major impact on our chances at winning.”
Words by coach Oscar Payne.
12.8 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Yang Yang Fan
“Yang Yang led the team with elite shooting, sharp ball handling, and lockdown defence. A standout performer on both ends of the floor all season long!”
Coach’s Award – Arlo Oswald
“Arlo’s all-around game, leadership, and basketball IQ made him a true anchor for the team. A rising star with a huge future!”
Words by coach Sam Song.
UNDER 14 BOYS
14.1 Boys
Player’s Award – Jacob Zhang
“The team all got to vote 3,2,1 for the players they felt were most deserving of the Player’s Award! Jacob was a very deserving and clear winner in his first year of rep basketball. He has been the ultimate team player this year. Jacob is unselfish, often caring more about getting teammates involved and making the extra pass over his own glory. He dealt with a lot of tough assignments and defensive pressure at the PG position and took it on with confidence and great spirit no matter the situation. The positive encouragement and team-first spirit he brought to every session made Jacob a popular team member. Well done, Jacob!”
Coach’s Award – William Zhao
“If you looked up the definition of hard work, coachability and defensive grit you’d find Will. He did everything we could ask for as coaches this year. Whether it’s a defensive assignment denying the opposition’s best player, rotating to pressure/steal the ball or taking the game on attacking the ring. Will has developed a nice offensive game and continues to back himself in to improve week on week. I look forward to seeing how he goes in Under 16s next year!”
Words by coach David Rooke.
14.2 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Christian Salgadoe
Christian is a natural scorer. Averaging more than 10 points per game, he was one of the top scorers in our VJL pool. He runs hard in transition, can break down his opponent with a variety of dribble moves, and shoots well from deep. He’s also taken steps towards improving his on-ball defence, communication, and passing. His ability to take a game over and score at will helped the team over the line on many occasions.”
Most Improved Player – Oscar Cullen
“In his first rep season, Oscar has taken great strides in all aspects of his game. He has become an aggressive player, driving whenever the defence gives him room and finishing strong. He is also one of the team’s leading rebounders, using his athleticism to work around bigger defenders and jumping above opponents to pull down the ball. Oscar is a testament to where hard work and perseverance can take players new to rep.”
Words by coach Tom Denovan.
14.3 Boys
Coach’s Award – Beau Dierkx
“Beau had a very strong year in his first season of rep basketball, leading the team on the boards and providing a consistent interior scoring option throughout the season. He was coachable and adapted to all the teams schemes and systems quickly.”
Coach’s Award – Tom Compton
“Tom has a terrific work ethic as a big man and really began to shine as the season progressed. He was a rugged defender and rebounder and had some brilliant offensive games in the second half of the season.”
Words by coach Warren Staples.
14.4 Boys
Coach’s Award – Jeremy Li
“Jeremy is the definition of hard work. Every Friday you know exactly what he’s going to give you and that is his absolute all whether he scores 20 (which he can) or 0. His effort is there!”
Coach’s Award – Adam Zhang
“Adam is a beast. If we kept stats for how many offensive rebounds a game it would be at least seven. Does all the right things and is extremely coachable!”
Words by coach Chris Allison.
14.5 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Eli Gleeson
“Eli has showed a tremendous commitment to the team and often puts the team on his back to help get wins. Not only is he an amazing teammate, he is also an amazing human being off the court. Eli has shown massive improvement throughout the entire year and I look forward to seeing him get better again in the future.”
Coach’s Award – Octavio Chan
“Octavio is embodiment of the heart over height mentality. Despite being the smallest player on the team he does not shy away from adversity and often takes it head on. His exceptional defence and offensive prowess has allowed him to provide tremendous value to the team.”
Words by coach Brendan Jao.
14.6 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Ethan Robinson
“Ethan has been prolific for us on the offensive end, leading our team in scoring (top five in the comp overall) with his aggressiveness, hard running and finishing. He also backs it up on the defensive end with his physicality.”
Defensive Player of the Year – Ayrton Beh
“As a team that prides itself on defence, Ayrton sets the tone with his physicality, hustle and consistently guarding the opposing team’s best player to shut them down to help put us in a position to win.”
Words by coach Nem Devic.
14.7 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Osbert Yan
“Osbert has been a dominant force on the interior all season. He led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots (per 40 minutes) and was the team’s leader in overall plus/minus. Congratulations, Osbert!”
Hustle Award – Harrison Di Bella-Fankhauser
“Harrison consistently applied his high-energy, hard-working approach to trainings and games throughout the season. Always competing with maximum effort, Harrison is a worthy recipient of this season’s Hustle Award.”
Words by coach Liam Santamaria.
14.8 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Sunny Wei
Sunny has been a crucial member of our team. Always striving to push himself further. He aptly plays on both ends of the floor. He listens to instructions and takes on feedback to further his development on and off the court. It’s been an absolute pleasure coaching Sunny this season.”
Coach’s Award – Ben Perovic
Being part of a relatively small line-up, Ben worked hard all season to keep our team competitive on both the offensive and defensive boards. He was a core member of our team and always competed hard, especially when the chips were down.
Words by coach Dave Kaplan.
UNDER 16 BOYS
16.1 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Asher Day
“Our awards were voted on by the team. Asher received this award for his strong and inspiring performance both on and off the court across the entire season.”
Teammate of the Year – Andom Rendell
“Andom represented our team’s passion and enthusiasm for improvement, comradeship and accountability.”
Words by coach Christian Peachman.
16.2 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Owen Trainor
“Owen has been an absolute standout for us this season. He’s a relentless competitor who gives maximum effort every time he steps on the floor. More than that, he’s a true team player – always putting the group first, lifting those around him, and setting the tone with his attitude and work ethic. He leads by example and embodies everything we value in a player.”
Most Improved Player – Xavier Di Pasqua
“Xavier’s growth this season has been incredible. He’s put in the work, stayed coachable, and stepped up in every area of his game. Whether it was defence, game awareness, or confidence, he’s made huge strides – and it’s been awesome to watch. His improvement has had a real impact on the team, and this award is a reflection of all the effort he’s put in.”
Words by Ben Crowe.
16.3 Boys
Players’ Player Award – Oliver Saman
The Players’ Player Award was an award where all players voted for who they enjoyed playing with the most this season. Oliver has been a great teammate and member of the team, with a few comments from teammates including: “he brings great energy and includes everyone”, “he leads the team, both on and off the court” and “has been fun to play alongside all season”.
Coach’s Award – Max Dimitropoulos
“Throughout the season, Max has shown a tremendous amount of commitment to the team, but also his own development. Max had one of the best training and game attendance records in a team full of injuries, but also came to each training prepared and motivated to get better. An underrated element to his game was his leadership. Max was always providing guidance to his teammates on where to position themselves on the court, but also leading by example, both on and off the court.”
Words by coach Liam O’Hoy.
16.4 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Noah Mrkela
“Noah has been a key contributor to our team throughout the season. He brings consistent effort and intensity to every training session and game, and has a great presence on offence and defence.”
Coach’s Award – Hunter Furlan
“Hunter has shown impressive development over the course of the season. He’s grown into his role as a forward, continually improving his skills and understanding on both ends of the floor. He’s also been highly coachable, always taking on feedback and applying it effectively.”
Words by coach Tom Macleod.
16.5 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Anthony Salgadoe
“Anthony has been a consistent contributor throughout the year in both offence and defence. He is always enthusiastic, supportive and full of energy, helping to drive his team.”
Most Improved Player – Daniel McLachlan
“Daniel started his first season of rep basketball understandably a little unsure of himself. He has since developed into a strong player, regularly attacking the basket and finishing his shots. His running, rebounding and defence have also become significant features in Dan’s game.
Words by coach Ben Willey.
16.6 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Jacob Tan
“Jacob has had a fantastic season and been a big contributor to the team’s success. He is a great athlete, with his speed a real asset on both offence and defence. Jacob led our team for scoring and was consistently one of the hardest-working players on the court. He is a team player with a strong desire to win and was really important in getting us over the line in a number of close games. Jacob was a great leader for the team this season. Well done on a great year!”
Coach’s Award – Rudy Buttrey
“Rudy competed hard week in, week out and as an undersized centre put his body on the line for the team. He had a great attitude, always looking to improve and eager to take on feedback, which resulted in a strong contribution as well great development throughout the year. Rudy is very coachable and did a good job picking up a number of new concepts. I look forward to a strong top-age season from Rudy next year. Congratulations on a fantastic season!”
Words by coach Josh Maddock.
16.7 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Jason Yu
“Jason has had a solid season for our team. He has worked hard on improving his defence and rebounding, which then led to increased scoring.”
Coach’s Award – Brees Green
“In his first season of representative basketball, Brees has led the team with his strong body and physicality in defence. Brees is good at taking on feedback to improve his game.”
Words by coach Campbell Fraser.
16.8 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Nathan Luo
“Nathan has played at a high level all season. Leading the team in scoring, guarding the opponents one though five at different stages and always supporting his teammates.”
Coach’s Award – Flynn Burgess
“Flynn has improved his game at both ends of the floor, using his size and strength to help the team consistently win the rebounding battle, while also building a strong screen and roll game. Flynn’s always willing to listen and to take on feedback.”
Words by coach Daniel Barr.
UNDER 18 BOYS
18.1 Boys
Most Consistent Player – Archie McSheffery
“Archie is a relentless competitor, always coachable, and never once puts himself ahead of the team. He always holds his head up and is a fantastic leader for our team.”
Most Improved Player – Robert McLachlan
“Rob came in as a bottom-age player new to rep, and by the midway point of the year was a critical part of our team. His rebounding, finishing inside, shot blocking, and basketball IQ made him a critical part of our success.”
Words by coach Conor Mathews.
18.2 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Jo Hawkins-Nikupala
“Unanimous decision is an understatement when making this pick. Jo’s impact and dominance is second to none. His ability to control every aspect of the game and dominate every possession has been a huge factor to our success this season.”
Defensive Player of the Year – Will Boothby
“It’s very rare to find such a versatile, strong defender and key player. Will’s ability to guard all five positions and lead the team in rebounding is a huge asset for us. His size and athleticism makes him the perfect player to help build a winning team.”
Words by coach Jarrod Whelan.
18.3 Boys
Mr Reliable Award – Nathan Lee
“In a season riddled with injury, Nathan was the only player out of 10 to have played every game for the season.”
Coach’s Award – Xavier Roache
“Xavier made the jump from 18.6s to 18.3s and is a credit to the hard work he put in. He always listened to feedback, continued to put in work and rarely missed a training session or game.”
Words by coach Ben Wardlaw.
18.4 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Christian Saman
“Although it was Chris’s first season playing the point guard position, he quickly showed a natural ability to lead and demonstrated strong coachability. He approached every session as a student of the game, eager to learn and constantly looking to improve. His growth throughout the season was clear, particularly in his decision-making, composure, and offensive skill set. Well done, Chris!”
Best Defensive Player – Max Ledger
“With Max’s physical presence and length, it would be easy to view him as a top defensive player. But what truly set him apart was his simple, disciplined approach to defence. While many players take months to grasp key defensive principles, Max had an instinctive understanding of how to defend the right way from the start. Well done, Max!”
Words by coach Oscar Percy.
18.5 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Aiden Murphy
“Aiden led the team with his scoring, composure and leadership on and off the court. Always vocal and focused, he set the standard every game and brought out the best in his teammates.”
Defensive Player of the Year – Miles Laherty
“Miles brought unmatched energy on defence all season. He attacked every rebound, communicated constantly and set the tone with his effort and intensity every game.”
Words by coach Mitchell Collard.
18.6 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Neon Hodges
“Neon earned the MVP award for his outstanding performance on the court, leading the team as the highest scorer for the season. His ability to consistently drive to the basket and finish with confidence made him a constant threat to opponents. With a relentless offensive presence and a knack for breaking through defences, Neon was key in our defensive set-up.”
Coach’s Award – Ben Gu
“Ben received the Coach’s Award for his unwavering commitment, work ethic, and team-first attitude. He consistently attended trainings, gave 100 per cent effort, and showed a strong desire to improve both on and off the court. Always ready to support his teammates and play his role, Ben set a great example through his dedication and positive influence, making him a deserving recipient of this award.”
Words by coach Brad Miller.
UNDER 20 BOYS
20.1 Boys
Best Defensive Player – Charlie Truscott
“Charlie has demonstrated commendable defensive skills throughout the season. His ability to guard various positions effectively highlights his versatility on the court. He consistently shows a strong commitment to his defensive responsibilities, which is crucial for team success.”
On-Ball Defence: “Charlie’s on-ball defence is a standout quality. He uses his quick feet and agility to stay in front of his opponent, making it difficult for them to create their own shots. His stance is solid, allowing him to react promptly to offensive movements. Additionally, he applies pressure effectively, often forcing turnovers and errant passes.”
Off-Ball Defence: “In terms of off-ball defence, Charlie has shown a good understanding of positioning. He anticipates plays well, often rotating to help teammates or contest shots. However, there is room for improvement in his communication during switches. Greater vocal leadership on the court can enhance team defence and ensure that everyone is aware of their assignments.”
Rebounding and Hustle: “Charlie’s hustle on the defensive end is notable. He pursues rebounds aggressively and is often one of the first players to recover loose balls. His focus on securing defensive boards not only stops opponents from getting second-chance points but also initiates fast breaks for his team.”
Defensive Versatility: “One” of Charlie’s strengths is his ability to guard different positions. He can switch on to guards or forwards without a significant drop in effectiveness. This versatility makes him a valuable asset, allowing the team to experiment with various defensive schemes.”
Conclusion: Charlie has established himself as a solid defender with a keen understanding of the game. With continued efforts in communication and technique, he can elevate his defensive game further, making significant contributions to his team’s success in the future. His defensive prowess, combined with his offensive skills, positions him as a key player for the 2026 season.
Most Valuable Player – Owen Ireland
“Owen had an exceptional season with an impressive overall performance. His ability to adapt to different game situations and contribute on both ends of the floor has been a key asset for the team.”
Scoring Ability: “Owen averaged 12.5 points a game, showcasing his scoring versatility. He has improved his perimeter shooting, hitting crucial three-point attempts, which has created space for his drives to the basket. His mid-range game has also developed, making him a threat from anywhere on the court.”
Playmaking: “Owen has shown significant improvement in his playmaking abilities. He has a great feel for the game, often making the right decision under pressure. His vision has steadily improved leading to better ball movement and has encouraged his teammates to find better scoring opportunities.”
Defence: “On the defensive end, Owen has been tenacious, applying constant pressure on opposing forwards and often creates fast-break opportunities through his defensive efforts.”
Rebounding: “Owen’s rebounding is a highlight of his game. As the primary forward, he does a great job of making sure he contributes to team rebounds, especially on the offensive glass where he often fights for loose balls.”
Leadership: “Owen has stepped up as a leader this season, both on and off the court. His work ethic in practice helps set a standard for the team, and his ability to keep morale high during tough games has been invaluable.
“Overall, Owen had a standout season, demonstrating significant growth in his game. I am sure he will continue to refine his skills and enhance his defensive consistency. He has the potential to become one of the top players in the 2026 U20 VJBL. Looking ahead, the team is excited to see how he builds on this year’s success in the upcoming season and as he transitions to the Big V competition.”
Words by coach Andrew Power.
20.2 Boys
Most Valuable Player – Luka Tse Farrell
“Luka had a great season and contributed a lot to our success as a team. Offensively, he was one of our best scorers as well as playmaker, passer and rebounder. Defensively, he created a lot of pressure and steals and intercepted a lot of passes. Luka played with great toughness, grit and intelligence, especially for a bottom-aged player. Great season, Luka!”
Most Improved Player – Max Paten
“Max put a lot of effort into improving and being his best this season. He made a big leap early in the season and again in the Adelaide tournament. He is a confident and determined player who always worked hard on the court. Way to have a great last season of VJBL.”
Words by coach Mark Fernandez.
• For the full list of award winners from the Camberwell Dragons Girls Program, including coaches’ comments, please click HERE.
