News

Camberwell coaches look back on a big weekend for our junior Dragons teams, including our title-winning 16.2 Girls (pictured), at the season-opening Southern Peninsula Tournament.

Boys Program

12.1 Boys
"The U12.1s had a developmental weekend. The boys began to learn how to play with each other and utilise each other's strengths to help benefit the team's success. The last game against Magic was a clear illustration of the boys' ability to adapt and learn from how they play to benefit their own performance and the teams. Huge thank you to Susie for organising the weekend and making sure everything was sorted!" – Head Coach Jaden Lai

12.2 Boys
"The 12.2s started the Southern Peninsula Tournament coming off a very strong practice game against Keysborough. The boys immediately were brought into a reality check early on in the tournament playing Kilsyth 3 in the first game. The strong offensive rebounding game from Kilsyth let them get a convincing lead in the first half. This lead proved to be the difference as the boys kept a level scoring pace in the second, especially the last two minutes, however the lead was too much, going down 33-18. This trend continued to game two, as a first-half lead was developed by Frankston 4, as the boys went down to them 37-29, rounding the Saturday off 0-2. However, the boys were ready to bounce back the next day, playing fantastic team offence and showing tons of effort on the floor, wanting to turn the tournament around. This new enthusiasm proved wonders, as they won the next two games convincingly, with a 51-9 win against Warrandyte 1 and a 37-19 win over Chelsea 1. This brought the boys record to a 2-2 tournament, finishing third on the table and missing out on finals. The tournament proved to be full of ups and downs but overall the boys played well and showed that there is still plenty to learn with so many new faces to the Camberwell Culture." – Head Coach Caleb Lingwood-Smith

12.3 Boys
"Overall a great experience and start for the boys. Some very exciting and close games on display. Unfortunately we were on the bitter end of some close games and finished 1-3, but very well could have been 3-1. The boys are determined to improve and we are excited to see what we can accomplish with the year ahead." – Head Coach Josh Crosisca

12.6 Boys
The boys finished their first tournament 1-3. The results were as follows – loss to Bulleen 6 (28-38), loss to Kilsyth 6 (26-32), win against Leongatha 2 (38-26), loss to Mansfield 1 (18-52). In all games the boys jumped out to a great start, with our arrow press causing problems for opponents bringing the ball up the court. This, with good transition offence, helped us beat Leongatha. A general kryptonite was our inability to box-out, which lead to wins for Bulleen and a comeback win for Kilsyth. Mansfield outran us in transition, shot well and took advantage of us not boxing out to take the lead after the sixth minute of the game and never looked back. At the end of the day, the most important thing for this tournament was to get the boys bonding together, which they did. They had fun off the court, going to the beach and wrestling after our Sunday morning win, sharing many laughs and conversations together." – Head Coach Seb Sciciuna

12.7 Boys
"The 12.7s started their tournament against a couple of older, stronger teams and it took a while for the boys to adapt to the physicality. However, as the games and weekend went on the boys built into it and were able to hold their own for a large part of the games against some strong teams. The boys stayed positive and enthusiastic the entire weekend despite the results, always excited for their next chance to play and they were rewarded for their persistence with a big 32-point win in the last game. We finished the weekend 1-3 with a lot of positives and learnings to take into the season." – Head Coach Oscar Payne

14.2 Boys
"The 14.2 Boys faced some difficult opponents over the weekend, resulting in a 1-3 record. The highlight was our first win of the year, a thrilling one-point victory over Bulleen 2 that involved a game-winner, timeout controversies, and a few 50/50 foul calls. While the results weren’t as desired, the boys made great strides over the weekend and showed great heart against some high-quality opposition. Thanks to our TMs Susie and Kelly, my AC Ed, and all the parents who made the hour’s drive each way on both days." – Head Coach Tom Denovan

14.3 Boys
"The 14.3 boys had a super-competitive tournament, winning one game and losing three close games. In all of the games we had chances to win and the results were encouraging but should motivate the group to keep working. The tournament gave us valuable time to build on and off court chemistry and cohesion." – Head Coach Warren Staples

14.4 Boys
"Saturday started out with an early morning win with a smooth-sailing lunch win following. Late-night Saturday win was the toughest until the Sunday morning thriller win came around. All these wins put us into the grand final against a guard-heavy Kilsyth team that eventually got the one up on us and unfortunately conquered our unbeaten record!" – Head Coach Chris Allison

14.5 Boys
"The boys had an excellent weekend going 5-0 and winning the grand final by a point in overtime. While we achieved a lot as a team, the biggest success of the weekend was seeing the massive improvements the boys have made in such a short period of time. Corey and I are super privileged to lead this group for the season ahead." – Head Coach Brendan Jao

14.6 Boys
"After dropping the first game of the tournament against Waverley 5 by two points, the boys went into beast mode and won the next three games by an average margin of 32 points to qualify for the final. Facing unbeaten Bulleen 5, the boys' relentless defensive approach saw them dominate the game from the tip to win 43-20. We're really proud of the boys and not just because they won the final, but because of the way they went about it. They played hard for each other and moved the ball beautifully, while having each other’s back the whole time and playing with joy." – Head Coach Nem Devic

14.7 Boys
"The boys entered the tournament with a determination to improve in two key defensive areas (ball pressure and communication) and to develop their ability to play with great spacing on offence. The two best performances by the group resulted in a big win over Dandenong 9 and a narrow loss to Melbourne 7. Big thanks to James Broadway for his terrific work as assistant coach, Cameron Ramsay for coordinating the team, Lewis O'Flynn for organising our team lunch and all the parents for their great support. Well done to the boys on playing hard, working together and developing – both individually and as a group – across the weekend." – Head Coach Liam Santamaria

14.8 Boys
"The tournament provided an excellent opportunity for growth and bonding. Although some boys knew each other from seasons gone by, many were getting to know each other for the first time. With just the one practice match under our belts, it was an excellent opportunity for the team to implement strategies practiced during training. We convincingly won three out of four matches and just missed out on finals by percentage. The team displayed great effort and determination throughout the tournament. It was great to see the boys bond and enjoy each other's company both on and off the court. Whilst at times the team showed great skill and teamwork, the tournament provided an opportunity to highlight areas of weakness. We are all eagerly looking forward to the upcoming season and improving on the areas we could have done better." – Head Coach Dave Kaplan

16.2 Boys
"The boys performed really well across the tournament and showed great growth, highlighted by a dominant bounce-back win in the semi-finals. We faced a tough challenge in the Grand final and came away with a narrow loss. The team should hold their heads high as they fought hard and showed exceptional effort and attitude throughout the whole tournament. I am very proud of them and look forward to what we can work towards this season." – Head Coach Ben Crowe

16.3 Boys
"The boys started the weekend with double-digit wins against Warrandyte 1 and Mornington 2. We had a draw and a loss on Sunday, but the performance shown by the boys were arguably better than the ones shown in the wins. The boys continued to develop their structures and game plans while also showing a greater connection to one another." – Head Coach Liam O'Hoy

16.5 Boys
"The boys finished with two wins and two close losses. The tournament allowed the boys and parents to get to know each other and to start to jell as a team. Despite not making finals, the tournament was great fun." – Head Coach Ben Willey

16.6 Boys
"The boys kicked off their tournament on Saturday morning with a win against Western Port 2 (33-25), which was particularly impressive given we were down to six players due to school sport commitments. The boys then enjoyed a hard-fought win against Hawthorn 4 (53-47), starting slowly and holding our nerve as Magic got on a run in the second half to come home the stronger team. This was definitely the most satisfying win for the weekend! After spending some time bonding at the Rye Hotel, the boys backed up for their third game for the day against Leongatha 2. While it wasn’t played at the same standard, we did enough to get over the line (49-43). On Sunday morning, we played Ringwood 3, the other undefeated team in our pool. Ringwood outplayed us and shot exceptionally well to win 61-38, knocking us out and moving through to the Grand Final. Overall, it was a really positive tournament for the team and great opportunity to get some games in before grading." – Head Coach Josh Maddock

16.8 Boys
"The boys went 4-0 in pool play, building on each win and grinding out some challenging games. The Grand Final was extremely close and well played throughout, with Chelsea scoring the final two points on the siren to secure the victory, 40-42. Despite the loss, the boys displayed a great level of commitment and camaraderie throughout the tournament, including devouring a huge amount of pizza between games on the Saturday. Well done, boys!" – Head Coach Daniel Barr

18.1 Boys
"We lost, then we drew, then we lost (we shouldn’t have lost), then we won (played really well). Shoutout Will Tyrell, half-court shot. Go Camberwell!" – Head Coach Conor Mathews

18.2 Boys
The boys were able to walk away with all smiles after going undefeated in Division 1. The boys played some very exciting and enjoyable basketball and were able to showcase how talented they are as a team! A huge thanks to all the parents and families who came down to support us all weekend. And a big thank you to Bek for being an amazing team manager!" – Head Coach Jarrod Whelan

18.5 Boys
"Our team had fun competing and showed strong defensive pressure and ball movement, finishing with a 1-3 record. Lots to improve and looking forward to the rest of the season!" – Head Coach Mitch Collard

Girls Program

12.1 Girls
"The girls had a great tournament weekend both on and off the court, finishing with a 3-1 record and bonding between games. We are very proud of the girls and how hard they work and can’t wait for the season to start!" – Head Coach Ryleh Killian

12.3 Girls
"Most of the team had never played Representative Basketball before, so this tournament served as a valuable introduction for the girls. They faced tough competition in their first two games, losing to Sandringham 12.3 and Ringwood 12.1, by 24 and 29 points, respectively. Despite the early setbacks, the girls came back on Sunday with renewed determination. They stayed focused, learning from each game, and despite losing by 11 points to Kilsyth 12.3, they played an outstanding second half. The final game, against Moe 12.1, gave the girls their best shot at a win. It was a hard-fought battle, with both teams under pressure and struggling with turnovers. In the dying seconds, the girls transitioned quickly from defence to offence, setting up for a shot. It went in, sparking celebrations all around. It was a fantastic weekend for the team, and they are now ready to take on the first phase of grading." – Head Coach Scott Bazley

12.4 Girls
"This young team competed hard and set the tone of each game early. Although we did not win all our games, the girls improved with each game and worked hard on their spacing, communication and determination. We can't wait to see the development and progress of these mighty girls throughout the season. Watch this space! Thank you to TM Emma for keeping us organised, to the parents for giving up their weekends and to the players for giving it your all. The future is bright at Camberwell!" – Head Coach Prue Ainsworth

12.5 Girls
"The girls loved a bit of rivalry with McKinnon 5 in round 1 and we commenced with a win. We then played two country 1s teams, with two losses. Naturally, an hour in the McDonalds play room was a huge highlight for the day.  Our final game was a well-contested draw with Altona 3. Our pre-game Caterpillar race is possibly still the highlight." – Head Coach Brett Donnar

12.6 Girls
"The girls had a great first-ever tournament, showing eagerness and resilience with all the girls being new to rep basketball this year. We came across some tough challenges with three out of four games being against older, taller and stronger teams. However, our girls took on the challenge, followed our instructions and developed markedly over the weekend. This tournament provided many learning opportunities, setting us up well for grading. We’re excited for the season to come!" – Head Coach Ciara Newman

14.3 Girls
"When fixturing came out, the 14.3 girls were a little terrified to be placed in Division 1. Despite this, the girls used this as fire to end the weekend second in the division, with two wins, a loss and draw to the top team. All against teams a lot higher in grading. The girls' ability to learn and adjust and come together as a team was outstanding. As a very young team, the girls placed beyond their years and left the tournament with a newfound confidence in their game." – Head Coach Molly Kneebone

14.5 Girls
"The girls started the weekend with a close one-point loss to Western Port and a three-point loss to Hawthorn 2. Although the first two games were tough and we couldn’t get the ball to drop, they worked really hard and bonded together between games to get some nice wins to end the tournament, with every girl getting on the scoreboard. It was a weekend full of laughs, highlights of executing offensive plays for the first time, and some good competitive games. Overall, it was a successful weekend and a promising start to the season!" – Head Coach Lisa Ong

14.6 Girls
"The girls enjoyed a weekend of lunches in the park and under sculptures. Catering covered all the key food groups (muffins, doughnuts and caramel slices) while they compared Crocs, shared contact details and managed to sneak-in a few games of basketball. And while they finished with a 3-1 record, it was more pleasing to see how they started to work together on-court, pick each other up and recognising the efforts of their teammates. Thanks to Alice and Kiraly for keeping us organised and to Simon in the co-pilot's chair." – Head Coach Michael Gillett

16.1 Girls
"A tournament of ups and downs for the girls and coaching team, highlighting that our best is good enough to compete with the top teams, yet our worst can lead to losing games we shouldn't. The weekend was really positive in recognising the improvements needed as a squad, improving together and getting to know one another. We finished the weekend with two wins and two losses and a lot of misses on Justin's Dad jokes. The girls are primed and ready to hit Grading Phase 1 hard as we try to qualify for VC prior to Christmas. Thanks to Simdog for his TM duties, despite an error with a game time, and to Joe for his elite IT skills and camera work." – Coach Mark Jeffers

16.2 Girls
"An eventful weekend to say the least for the girls, resulting in the Division 1 chocolates. We all had a lot thrown at us over six games in two days, especially after a narrow loss in the first game put us on the back foot.  I am most proud of all the families and players who showed astounding resolve at every turn.   After barely a month of being together, the camaraderie has been instantly palpable and continues to be our difference maker early.  For this tight-knit squad and the depth in talent we have, sky is the limit but there's still plenty of work to be done to get there." – Head Coach Brady Taylor

16.3 Girls
"After a sloppy start in their first game, which saw them lose by six points to Keilor 3s, the girls were determined to do better, and they did! Winning their second game by one point against Traralgon 1, and their third by 16 points against Mansfield 1, before dominating Coburg 2 by 25, it was safe to say they were in it to win it. Thanks to percentage, we finished top of the ladder in Pool B and had a match-up against Keilor 2 in the Grand Final. They were undefeated and had won all their games with ease. The girls showed nerves early on, before stepping up, fighting with grit, and working together to secure a come-from-behind win by six points. It was a "team effort", but Eve Linnane was awarded MVP for the game – a testament to her poise and leadership on court as point guard (arguably the toughest job). I couldn't be prouder of the girls and can't wait to see what they achieve next!" – Head Coach Phina Newton

16.4 Girls
"The theme for the weekend was 'Teamwork and Fun'. The girls played well, finishing 3-1 and second in our pool by a small percentage. From my perspective, the weekend was a success with the girls showing great teamwork as well as learning new plays and new team structure. This sets us up for a great start to the season." – Head Coach Michael Fowler

16.5 Girls
"It was great to improve through the tournament, moving from 32 points for the first two games to 85 for the last two. We got tested in the first game with match-ups to talls. We then played without any talls. Our players responded to the loss with more focus and the shooters piled on top of the defensive effort from the guards to finish a great weekend." – Head Coach Brett Donnar

16.6 Girls
"While it was a rush getting an entry in time, I thought it was important for the team. Having a team that has come from five different teams last season getting to know each other on and off the court was very important. The girls were fantastic. Four of the five teams we played are in a pool or two above us for grading and we finished undefeated with a draw and a thrilling grand final win by one point against Southern Peninsula 2. All players contributed and it was easy to play relatively equal time. Defence from the girls was excellent all weekend and our offensive structure slowly improved but is definitely still a point of development. Kelly Huang was a deserved winner of the Grand Final MVP but as mentioned all girls did a fantastic job across the tournament." – Head Coach Duncan Palmer

18.2 Girls
"The tournament provided a valuable opportunity for the team to bond and to refine our offensive and defensive strategies in a competitive setting. Although our first game didn’t go as planned, with our shooting percentage falling short of expectations in a 12-point loss to Westgate 18.1, the following three games were a real highlight. We secured convincing wins against Coburg 18.1 by 48 points, Hawthorn 18.1 by 32 points, and Ringwood 18.1 by 19 points, narrowly missing out on a spot in the Grand Final. Defensively, we were solid, conceding an average of just 20 points a game, but it was our fast breaks and transition play where we truly stood out. The team showed great improvement in running the lanes and moving the ball quickly. Now, we’re fully prepped and ready for a re-match against Hawthorn 18.1 on Friday night." – Head Coach Scott Bazley