Knox, Bulleen and Diamond Valley have a show in the 14 girls as their games have been close with Diamond Valley beating Knox by a basket, Knox beating Melbourne by 12, Knox beating Bulleen easily, Melbourne beating Diamond Valley by 5 and Bulleen beating Diamond Valley by 6.

Very tight and throw in the interstate kids and their could be some surprises

u/12 Altona girls & boys both have great teams and doing fantasic in VC. Dont count them out!! Look out you could be surprised.

Tough pool with DV, Sturt & Sandringham in the U14 boys. All very good teams.

Knox U16 boys have pulled out. Anybody know why?

After the first round of matches what are the rules ?

Is the winner of pool 1 crossing over with 2nd place in pool 2 ? - where can you see the format for the tournament ?

Knox 16 boys out ???? - is this the fact or just a pre classics facebook conversation ?

Hard to believe one of the best teams would not turn up ....

Fact. Pools have been redrawn. My club got notified today.

Anybody got a reason?

There will be plenty of good teams in the Under 16 boys.... Sturt likely to perform very well and also high expectations of Forestville going up against a great group of Vic teams including Knox , Werribee , Keilor , Melbourne , Diamond Valley - plus there are a few other VIC and NSW teams that could deliver a big surprise on the week-end.

Knox 16 boys - reason seems to be injuries to key players

Key players? Why wouldn't you play with the rest of your kids, and give your bench a run? They have 2 teams in VC, couldnt they get some players to fill in?

The 16 boys field is wide open, any number of teams could win it.

Under 16 boys Knox have plenty of good players so a surprise -.............

Redraw is giving Forestville and Sturt easier matches on Saturday so looking good for SA

If Knox U16 boys pulled out due to some injuries then that is a disgrace.

What about the remainder of the team - they miss out!

What about bringing in some one and at least use this as an experience for the group!

Do they have a history of forfeiting weekly games if they have an injury.

What message is this sending to the rest of their playing group.

Very poor effort by Knox, not giving some other kids a chance to play the tournament.

The redraw has worked out beautifully for Forestville, losing Werribee, who i think will win it, and keeping Sutherland, who are by far the worst NSW team based on results so far. It's probably gotten harder for Sturt though, who gain Diamond Valley (who I "think" won Eltham). Either way, should be a very tight tournament.

Can Forestville Under 16 boys beat Melbourne ?

Yes they can - I think Melbourne would be favourites, but Forestville could beat them on a good day.
Forestville should easily win the other two games though, and go through to top 8 (probably with a 2-1 record).

I wouldn't go as far as suggesting, "Forestville should easily win the other two games." They may well qualify and good luck to them but lets be honest, Sturt smacked the hell out of them in the SA Champs final, and Sturt haven't even beaten any Victorian team of good quality. The NSW teams haven only played themselves so that's difficult to factor into the equation at all.

Sturt clearly the best SA team, with Forestville easily 2nd there.

Sutherland currently 5th in NSW, so not setting the world on fire but it is a tournament and anything can happen.

Victoria is too open to call. Everyone seems to be beating everyone... Except for Knox & Werribee at this stage. Since their league split into its super conference though only 1 round has been played, with some more interesting results.

The Classic is an open race, with so many top quality teams arriving first thing Saturday morning. Should be a ripper of a weekend.

The truth is the Victorian teams will dominate this age group, Sturt have never actually done well at any interstate tournaments with this team since they came together in U12. Big Fish in a small pond. As far as Forestville, completely dilusional.

Not sure Anon the VIC's will dominate .....

...will be great to see Diamond Valley play Sturt with both teams having 4 state players and remember Eagles have 3 in their team which only Werribee also have ! Some of the otherVIC teams are so up or down on the day so why not Sturt and Eagles for the top 8 ?

I agree that Sturt beat Forestville at State Champs well, but Forestville have a far better draw, and in these tournaments that plays a huge part. Sutherland are the worst NSW team, and Nunawading are only average (5-4). They should win those two.

Sturt beat Wayverly at Easter, who I think are quality, but lost to Dandenong, who are not great. Certainly mixed form there. But in that pool will find it tough. Norwood too (who are vastly improved and not easily behind Forestville as the above poster suggests IMO) have a tough pool.

I think the best 5 teams there are all Victorian - Werribee, Diamond Valley, Keilor, Melbourne and Bulleen. Manly might sneak past Wayverly to get through, plus a team by default in pool A (who will finish 8th). Forestville should be aiming for (and get) that 2nd spot in thier pool. Good luck to Sturt, Forestville, Norwood and Southern this weekend!

4 Vic Metro state players do not equal 4 SA Metro players first comment. Sturt won in adelaide not Melbourne, and I still am yet to be proven wrong this sturt group is yet to fire a shot in Victoria. Time for them is running out.

I wouldn't say any of the Victorian contigent is avergage... Some perhaps inconsistant to date but not average. Melbourne beat Diamond Valley but lose to Nunawading, who in turn get smacked by Diamond Valley.

Where as NSW looks to be a little clearer, manly defensively stopping teams... Sydney just beating teams with a barrage of points each week.

In SA, Sturt just took care of business each game. Forestville did the same and quite simply got smacked in the final.

With Knox out Werribee is clearly the top team and Forestville is lucky they are not in their pool now .

Waverley had a draw against Bulleen last week so clearly Sturt can beat Bulleen this week-end and is it too much to assume that Eagles can win their pool now without Werribee ? - if so then it could be an Eagles - Sturt cross over match on Sunday !

GO SA !

Yes, don't assume anything! Tournaments are funny things.

C'mon now. The #1 ranked SA can't even beat the #13 ranked Vic team... Where's the logic in any of the thinking above?

So what?
Wayverly are ranked 7th?
They beat them by a fair bit.

They are playing two teams ranked above that though, and I think it's the toughest pool. That pool will be a struggle.

Certainly think the best 5 teams are all Victorian though.

I LOVE THE WAY THAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO MAKE COMMENTS ON OTHER STATES CAN'T STOP AND THINK.

IF IT IS THE SAME FORRESTVILLE TEAM FROM UNDER 14'S YOU HAVE GOT A MASSIVE PROBLEM.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
KNOX GOT FOUR OUT INJURED,COACH DOES NOT WANT TO RISK INJURING WHAT HE HAS LEFT BY RUNNING THEM INTO THE FLOOR.3 OF THEIR BEST PLAYERS ARE NOT INJURED.AND FOR THE RECORD THEY HAVE NEVER PULLED OUT OF A CLASSIC.

LOOK WHO IS ON TOP OF THE LADDER TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IS IT KNOX IS IT WERRIBBEE IS IT DIAMONDVALLEY,SO REALLY NONE OF YOU OTHER STATES HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT ANYTHING.AS FOR MELBOURNE????GREAT KIDS,BUT WHO BET THEM DURING THE SEASON?????LOOK UP THE HISTORY...............SO I SUGGEST YOU JUST SHUT UP AND DO YOUR TALKING ON GAME DAY.
GOOD LUCK STURT ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO PLAY.

UGLY COUSINS THAT I LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so did Knox pull out or not. Post above says they have never pulled out so I have no idea what you are saying or what is happening

Forestville are not sturt cousins thats a joke, I reckon its Eastern Mavericks ex. Sturt players everywhere that live outside metro area, and the list looks to be growing.

Hampton
Warhurst
Wilson
Biggs
Knight
Kelton
Penno

And lets not forget the mens ABA coaches.

12 boys = Melbourne
14 boys = Geelong!!!!!!!!!

Knox not the only team to have injuries, DV, W'Bee and Keilor all have injuries. DV missing 2 bigs for the past 3 weeks and another fwd last week, W'Bee missing big and 1 guard is injured, Keilor guard injured.

No one wins finals in June boys. My tip,

Melbourne to beat all commers

good luck to melbourne.

knox pulled out and replaced cant you read!!the vjbl site has the draw

forestville are not ugly counsins,you are ugly sisters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!play like girls

regarding injury,you are all going to feel injured once we have finished with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

go melbourne.....................

What about the 18's

KNOX GOT FOUR OUT INJURED,COACH DOES NOT WANT TO RISK INJURING WHAT HE HAS LEFT BY RUNNING THEM INTO THE FLOOR.3 OF THEIR BEST PLAYERS ARE NOT INJURED.AND FOR THE RECORD THEY HAVE NEVER PULLED OUT OF A CLASSIC.

Incorrect, they've pullled out of a Classic this week! They were in the draw as of Monday. Tuesday they were out, a redraw sent with a note saying Knox withdrew. Four out? So what! You bring others up, and give them the chance to play at a higher level. You may not win it, but the experience will be invaluable to those players. Poor form.

Please... Nunawading or other 2nd rate tournaments for lower teams should not take precedence over giving players the oppurtunity to play at the best club tournament in the country.
Knox have 2 teams in VC, so have depth, I'm sure these players would only be better off having the experience of being exposed to this level of basketball.

But I guess juggling a few other players around Nunadwading teams was not worth the effort...

AND FOR THE RECORD THEY HAVE NEVER PULLED OUT OF A CLASSIC.


sorry my mistake there.i thought i had read above that they had done this before!!!!in years gone by.that is what i was referring too!sorry for misunderstnding.

HEY GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS PLAYING.KNOOX MISS OUT ON PLAYING THE BEST TEAMS IN AUSTRALIA.

GO MELB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Under 18 looks like being all about Melbourne or Dandenong.

What is the chance for Sturt , Norwood or Eastern to make an upset ?

Hydra whats your tip as a country mile?..and who will they beat in final?

Bulleen record looks good apart from last week result against Knox going down by 24.They may have had players out that week though....Aus squad ?...not sure...

Haha
Bulleen's u18 girls team doesn't have anyone close to being in the AUS squad. That being said, they're still the best TEAM there. With Timms as a coach, they've got more heart then Dand-stateteam-enong.

Dandenong (will win by a mile) u/18 girls knocked out of classic by melbourne
Semis: Knox vs Norwood
Bulleen vs Melbourne

Sturt U12 boys playing in the GF!
Well done, good luck.

It's called recruiting !!!

510:Confirming all the talk about wrong girls continually selected and under performing when it counts. Maybe time for an overhaul in a few states or a clean out of long term selector gurus who pick on and off the grapevine.

Recruting!!!
Under 12s is the entry point to Rep in Victoria so how are Melbourne any different to any other team? Clearly their coaching/development program at this level is sound as they have now been in the g/f twice in the last three years.

Under 14s have both of their teams in the final with 9 players the same as those who played won under 12s two years ago. Again I would suggest these kids have continued to be developed otherwise they would not be here (as with the exception of Geelong, the other top 4 from 2008 are nowhere to be seen this year)!

On recruitment, you can not make people go to a club. People usually seek out a club due to reputation or coaching. Clearly if Melbourne have new players (and I believe there are 2 in the first team and 3 in the second team), these players have chosen the the club to further develop themselves. Thus they made a conscious choice that they thought it was a better environment. All clubs have open trials and accept new kids, good kids will if not being developed seek good clubs (program and coaches). So lets stop the old recruitment arguement. Tired of hearing about Sturt, Norwood, Melbourne all recruiting.

These clubs have a reputation for developing players. They clearly have expereinced coaches and a program that is working (like it or not, the facts speak for themselves - Sturt only SA team making impact in Victoria and Melbourne boys and girls doing well). Also anyone who has been in a successful and competative club will know that the coaches make the club. Coaches of good teams need to be good to manage all of the egos (particulalry the parents who all believe their "little johnny" is the best thing in town!! Listening to some parents over this weekend, there were a few in these top teams (Sturt, Hill Hornets and Melbourne). The ugly parent syndrome is alive and well in succesful teams. If you could take the parents myopic view and total focus on their own child out of the game, I think a lot of these teams would do even better!! Coaches must have one hell of a job managing this part of the game, which clearly has nothing to do with why they coach!!!!

Finally, if you want to match these succesful clubs, seek to aspire beyond what they are doing, if you dont be happy with where you are and stop complaining or putting others down. At the end of the day it is just kids sport!

We will see in a few years when these " wonder kids " get recruited over and watch those ugly parents go nuts and turn into U/16, U/18 uglier parents

Good on anyone who is developing kids, just beware giving these kids a mind set that they are unbelievably good as you are seeing in 16's and 18's kids / parents of these fantastic kids now believe it is their birth right to decide who plays, who is allowed to win and go to extreme measures to ensure their teams win or at least they ( Parents ) are heard as witnessed yesterday in some games.

God help anyone coaching these super kids when they get older,

There 12 Girls team that won the classic today have all been together for 4 years.

Melbourne tiger teams don't endear themselves to many with their behaviour on and off court

In U12 Boys did Sturt's development program deliver better results than Norwood's recruitment program!!

Sour milk never tasted so sweet!!

Norwood is not our nearest club, but we were directed there by SACB.

Having 1 player and 4 players is quite different.

lol97 - I think the issue is not the odd one each year!

622 - I think I know what you are saying and if so that is a huge conflict of interest that needs addressing by BSA

Callisto - I haven't read anything about anyone having a go at the kids just the two different approaches of putting a good team together and the relative merits of each to both the club and to basketball generally. If you go back over this season and summer season Sturt have been getting closer and closer and ended up in front at the classics. I think many are saying this vindicates this approach to putting a team together and continually improving. I have my views on who will be our best chance at the nationals in 2 years time but will refrain from saying as it is hypothetical and may be seen as having a go at a group of kids.

While Mr Gliddon remains in his present position and has the relationship with Sturt it will continue to thrive and have an unfair advantage.

anon,

I think you will find that more SASI players from Sturt have left Sturt and moved to other clubs than SASI players from other clubs have moved to Sturt.

Claiming an unfair advantage shows that you don't have any understanding of why people move.

It is usually those people who want to get better and aren't happy that move to Sturt.

because they were asked maybe? BSA is just treading water and will eventually drown because it refuses to lead, just follow.

or because they were unhappy maybe.

Ask the current U18 State coach who is from South and was there when one of the players made the first approach.

Or better still, ask the Centrals Coaching Director about how it was handled.

Some more boys are coming to Sturt for under 18 next year - not happy with the coach they are going to get in their current club..... Reputation and perception , even if they are not build on facts , seems to influence some to go instead of working it out ... what a waste of all the good work having gone into building up some good teams with these players .

I am not sure what club you are talking about but generally it is all too easy to shift clubs when you don't like something. I think this teaches bad life skills - run away from working out problems. All efforts put in by a club to get players to a certain level is all ignored and not appreciated.

Ju

I hardly think ignored if by U18 they are good enough to be accepted by Sturt. If there was no development going on at the existing club then why are they good enough to move?

Sturt do more harm than good to South Australian basketball by engineering their teams through clever approaches to players that could not be termed general well being calls.
It is in no one's interest to allow super clubs to develop yet it seems BSA will blind eye it all until it saves enough money for artificial testicles.
Individual teams will compete well from time to time on the bigger stage but until change occurs from SASI through to zones, clubs like these will dominate because what you don't see you don't fix.
District comp is wasted space with rubbish margins more times than not and country centres that have long been associated with certain district clubs have a scratch my back arrangement with them.
Everyone talks about making the comp better but it's not in the interest of certain people and clubs to want this and they give it lip service only. Where is the radical new direction from BSA that was going to drag basketball forward?

Parents drag their kids from clubs for a lot of reasons. The big one is politics when some coaches play favourites in team selection as well as court rotations.

Example needed?
One team made exclusively of one private school, the second team was kids not necessarily at that school. One kid without any experience straight into that team. The second team would regularly beat the first team in competitive drills. Gee, that first team didn't win a game in their season, wonder why?

So the 2nd team won all their games???

They made finals

haha good to see anonymous 279702 on for his monthly anti-sturt zoning agenda. At least he left out the Forestville/country rubbish this time. Now if only "Messenger" would come on to own him again like he did in the state champs thread!

Oh, and no-one mention smaller Victorian clubs thriving like McKinnon or Blackburn, you will go deaf from the silence!

Oh, and as for the "clever approaches through well being calls".... he never provides any actual EVIDENCE. Long may the propoganda be spread!!!

720 - will a signed Stat Dec suffice???

Attraction and retention of players into basketball is a major issue in my mind. I am seeing good athletes leave the sport as a result of friends chasing glory at other clubs and they are becoming disenchanted with the game as no matter how hard they work they know they will never win when players keep leaving for perceived better opportunities at other clubs or in other sports.

He sits back and knows how good they would be if other ex team mates didn't pursue the easy way out. He has said he is finishing up at the end of the year, making his current team even weaker and another child lost to basketball.

The problem is all the parents think their child will play NBA/WNBA.
The problem is the parents, not the Clubs.
This competition is the elite junior comp for SA.
What a load of bullshit, any one that pays fees can play in it.
The sooner we seperate the children with real potential from the rest, nothing will change.
I think that is what Sturt does, if the rest adopted similar policy, things will change.
Until then every parent who's dream (note: not the childs) to push their child up regardless of natural talent will push the child to what they percieve as the best opportunity

So in your imaginary story a player is leaving, where is the "general well-being" approaches from Sturt? Did you forget to put that into your fabrication?

As for "perceived" better oppurtunities - perhaps they are simply leaving for a better service. After all, they are paying (a lot) for this service, and if they are not happy with their current club, under your ideals, perhaps THEY would be leaving the sport instead.

Couldn't agree more with Robocop.

Two years ago Melbourne Tigers U-12 Boys won the Classic and finished 2nd in VC.

This year only 3 of the players from that side made their U-14 1st Boys team. The other 7 players who are in their U-14 1st team were not with Tigers in U-12s.

Their 2nd side made the final because it is predominately the same side that was very strong in U-12s.