Under-19s squad shows potential at first outing

The new Whanganui under-19 basketball team got their first blooding at the Paraparaumu College courts on Saturday and came away with a win and loss in their inaugural games as a unit. Nine players of the full 11 squad, aged between 16-18, were able to make the trip to the Kapiti tournament under coach Ross Cronshaw, who said he was happy with their efforts.

Whanganui defeated the Kapiti team by five goals and lost to Manukura, who have been strong in these tournaments, by 13 goals.

"We were the shortest team there, [but] we out rebounded one of the teams and we were a lot more physical," said Cronshaw.

His team will join two under-17 squads heading to the Mel Young Classic in Tauranga and Rotorua this Easter weekend.

The new squads have been training since January, both on court and in the gym, as the Whanganui Basketball Association is trying to put regular age group representative basketball back on the map.

Cronshaw said as well as Whanganui, his squad had players coming from Marton and Taihape.

"It kinda feels like a real regional team."

The Mel Young Classic starts on Friday.