Basketball Australia’s Foot Locker National Championships have wrapped after a massive week at the South Pine Sports Complex.
The level of interest and fanfare continues to grow for the National Championships with thousands flocking to this year’s edition at picturesque Moreton Bay, Queensland.
“This prestigious event not only showcased our city’s amazing sporting facilities, but also significantly contributed to the growth of our local economy and tourism industry. It was great to witness the influx of visitors, bustling activity in our businesses, and the vibrant energy the championships brought to our community.” - City of Moreton Bay
Across the courts, Victoria Metro recorded back-to-back titles in the U18 Men with a five-point showstopper against South Australia Metro. The gold medal match was a title fight with the knockout blow landing in favour of the Victorians, 96 – 91.
Harrison Beauchamp put up 31 points and six rebounds in the final. Ryder Cheesman provided supporting firepower with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and Austin Foxwell rounded out his campaign with 15.
SA Metro displayed class throughout the tournament and made a championship calibre case against the Vics. Rio Bruton (22 points, 8 rebounds) did all he could to get SA over the line alongside Deng Manyang (12 points, 9 rebounds) and guard Alex Dickenson (17 points, 4 rebounds).
Victoria Country landed the U18 Men’s bronze with a 15-point win over QLD North and their key distributor - Dash Daniels, brother of NBA 2023 Draft first-rounder Dyson, was named U18 Men’s player of the tournament.
| Results | |
| VIC Metro won gold, defeating SA Metro | 91-96 |
| VIC Country won bronze, defeating QLD North | 86-71 |
| WA Metro finished 5th, def SA Country | 87-78 |
| WA Metro finished 5th, def SA Country | 80-78 |
| Statistical Leaders | |
| I. Cotton | QLD South | 20.17 PTS - 4 AST |
| J. Robinson | VIC Country | 19.33 PPG |
| A. Nyuon | ACT | 18.62 PTS - 9.75R REB |
| A. Schubert | SA Country | 18.78 PTS- 10.78 REB - 3.67 STL |
| T. Ibukunoluwa | WA Metro | 13 PTS - 9.67 REB |
In the U18 Women’s, New South Wales Metro avenged their 2023 heartbreak with a blizzard from beyond the arc to secure a 73 – 62 win over Queensland South.
Backcourt duo Jessie-May Hall and Ruby Perkins were a force to be reckoned with, combining for 36 of NSW’s total. Abbey Valance had 14 points, 5 rebounds – Erica Finney 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Queensland South will hold their heads high after emerging as contenders in 2024. Prasayus Notoa stood tall with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the ‘Landers. Notoa’s Australia junior teammate Emma Petrie was quiet to tournament standards, with 11 in the final.
Vic Country’s U18 Women’s team claimed the bronze with a dominant display over SA Country and also took home the Luc Longley Fairplay award for exemplary spirit and sportsmanship.
The U18 Women’s player of the tournament went to Tasmania’s Andie Smith who showed that the Apple Isle doesn’t fall far from the tree. Andie’s sister Alanna is currently in the WNBA for the Minnesota Lynx and her father Darren played over 200 NBL games.
| Results | |
| NSW Metro won gold, def QLD South | 73-62 |
| VIC Country won bronze, def SA Country | 80-44 |
| SA Metro, finished 5th, def NSW Country | 59-56 |
| TAS finished 7th, def Vic Metro | 57-43 |
| Statistical Leaders | |
| K. Gardiner | SA Metro | 15.25 PTS - 12.38 REB - 3.38 AST |
| T. Bond | QLD North | 18.71 PTS |
| J. Hall | NSW Metro | 17.5 PTS |
| C. Broomhall | TAS | 10.25 REB- 4.25 AST |
| P. Notoa | QLD South | 7.88 AST |
The West was best in the Junior Wheelchair Championships with the Black Ducks sinking Victoria 51 – 43. Cooper Spillane received acknowledgement as player of the tournament and was instrumental in Western Australia’s revenge-bowl with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists.
Jordan Mouritz was consistent calm for WA and delivered in the big dance with 13 points, 11 rebounds in the final. Weston Tedcastle recorded 12 points, 5 rebounds and four steals.
Victoria’s Mitch Bond looks a player of the future and cracked in against the Black Ducks with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
In the bronze decider, Zach Binns starred for Queensland alongside Mitch Bond and Zac Uhr to overwhelm Taitum Brown's NSW outfit.
| Results | |
| WA won gold, def VIC | 51-43 |
| QLD won bronze, def NSW | 48-21 |
| Statistical Leaders | |
| C. Spillane | WA | 24.14 PTS, 10.8 REB, 6 AST |
| M. Bond | VIC | 20.33 PTS, 12.8 REB, 9 AST |
| Z. Binns |QLD | 17.83 PTS, 14.17 REB |
| T. Brown| NSW | 15.8 PTS, 8.6 REB |
| J. Mouritz | WA | 14.4 PTS, 8.4 REB |
| Z. Uhr | QLD | 14.29 PTS, 10.4 REB |
All results and statistics from the Foot Locker National Championships are available here
