By Lance Jenkinson
Altona Gators have defied the odds to qualify for the under-14 Australian basketball national club championships.
The Gators finished second in their Victorian Junior Basketball League pool to earn their spot at the nationals to be held in Shepparton in October.
The Liam Wright-coached team earned a way through despite enduring injuries and perhaps over achieving.
“It’s been a remarkable run,” Gators director of coaching Randy Shanklin said. “Liam has done an awesome job with that group.
“We do have some pretty good players in that group, but I don’t think anybody would’ve seen them going to nationals.
“They’ve over achieved a bit, which is fantastic.”
Shanklin said the experience of competing against the best club teams would be a bonus for the underrated Altona.
Now the Gators are on the national stage, he sees no reason why they cannot cause a shock in Shepparton.
“There’s no expectations on our side from where they finish,” he said. “They can go in and be as good as they want to be.”
Irrespective of where Altona finishes the tournament, the players will undoubtedly grow as a unit.
“Those relationships that you develop from it will probably be the thing we take from it most,” Shanklin said.
Meanwhile, one of Altona’s most promising juniors, centre Amy O’Hara, featured in Vic Metro’s triumphant under 16 national championship-winning team.
Being a bottom-age player, O’Hara’s minutes were limited, but she could get a chance to be a key player next season.
“She’s definitely up and coming for us,” Shanklin said. “She’s improved heaps in a small amount of time. I’m sure the education she would’ve got from that national tournament would’ve been a steep one and a quick one.
“She works hard, she’s a good kid and I see a bright future for her.”
