Albany men’s side inspired to make finals push at country championships, women’s division one side folds

Albany Basketball Association senior men’s captain Luke Wilson believes his side has the perfect mix of talent to challenge for the Basketball WA Country Championships title in Perth this weekend. The Raiders are sending a strong cohort of teams to compete at the Bendat Basketball Centre starting on Saturday, including the men’s championships, masters and division five sides and three women’s outfits, one in division three and two in division four. Veteran tall Wilson is skipper of the men’s championships side for the fourth successive year, which boasts an exciting crop of youthful talent from around the region. Fellow Denmark teammate Kye Griffiths and last year’s runner-up MVP Mason Tion will gear up again alongside athletic guard James Watters. Calum Dixon, Keanu Weeden, Drew Willcocks and Beauden East round out the eight travelling players who are chasing the coveted title. “For sure we can compete strongly, especially with this squad,” Wilson said. “I’m 34 but the next oldest is 24 and the teams that normally win, their average age is around 24-25. “We have that youth in the legs to just run for days and days so we have a great mix of that this year. “It’s a good mix of guys playing and they’ve been playing men’s for like four or five years now. “It’s a similar team to last year but everyone’s just matured that bit more and got a bit more muscle, a bit more endurance and a veteran attitude.” After last year’s division two grand final triumph, Wilson believes his side is hungry to recapture their best form and return to the decider this year. “I’d be super stoked to make grand finals and I think we can. Getting a win would be the cherry on top,” he said. “We’ve just missed out on play-offs the last two years but I think we’ve got a significantly better chance than we did last year. “We’ve been doing some training this year, we made a point of trying to get six Sunday sessions together. “It’s awesome getting that gel together before we go away.” The ABA will not be sending a Raiders championships women’s side after having to pull out due to player unavailability. ABA president Darren Berry said it was disappointing having to withdraw from the competition. “I can’t remember the last time they would have missed but this year some players just weren’t convinced to go hammer and tongs over the weekend plus others who have uni commitments. “We’re just in the transition period at the moment. “It is disappointing we can’t get people more interested in it but at the same time we will just move forward and try and get a team again going next year.” The round-robin tournament begins on Saturday and continues on Sunday at Bendat Basketball Centre before finals are played on Monday. ABA Men’s Championship Team Luke Wilson (C) Drew Willcocks James Watters Mason Tion Kye Griffiths Keanu Weeden Beauden East Calum Dixon