Maffra takes to top flight

MAFFRA Basketball’s Under 16 boys and girls’ teams headed to Bendigo over the weekendto compete in the 2023 Division 1and 2Junior Country Championships.

After monthsoftrainingand playing in local tournaments, the teams took to the courts against the top 16 teams in country Victoria.

Day 1was all about qualifying for the top eight (Division 1) and with two wins, the Eagle girls put themselves through in second place in their group.

The boys’ side had to win their third game on Saturday by four or moretomakeitthroughtoDivision 1.

Aterrific performance against Bellarinewent the way of the Eagles, who came up victors by seven points, pushing them through to the top level in the state.

Sunday’squalifying finals saw Maffra take on Geelong in both the girls’ and boys’ competitions.

Unfortunately, the strength of Geelong was too much for the Maffragirls, and saw them go down 25-52.

The boys’ game wasback-andforth, and while the Eagles took the lead early in the fourthquarter, Geelong pulled away to finish the game and won 52-44.

TheEagle girls finished in sixth position, while the boys finishedthe weekend in eighth.

Whenlooking across the competition, the difference in population sizeswhencompared to other teams in the Division 1competitions is most noticeable.

Maffra’s population, sitting at around 5000, was by far and away the smallest on both sides of the draw.

Facilitators of the Eagles say to have teams finish in the top eight in thestate is agreat credit to their athletes, coaches and parents for countless of hours of dedication to their sport and association.

Maffra