Lauren

Sometimes I really love this job!
Through NewsWeekly I get the chance to chat to a few high profile sports-persons that have connections to Albury Wodonga or are visiting the area.
I've chatted to AFL stars, V8 drivers, Olympians, Australian cricket players and so on.
Lauren Jackson would have to be my favourite so far.
Being a basketball nut it's something I've been wanting for a while.
The fact that she hails from Albury meant it was only a matter of time really.
I was lucky enough at this junior tournament to have been given five minutes to speak with her.
After she'd just spent quite some time with fans seeking autographs and photos I was happy to have that chance.
And while five minutes doesn't go a long way it was still an opportunity I wasn't going to miss.

Trevor.

Lots of Sport

I've been shooting lots of sport lately for a local newspaper which has kept me very busy, from table tennis to motor racing and a lot of other stuff in between.

Alex Duck wins again.

For the second consecutive season Lady Bandit Alex Duck has received the SEABL Women Australian Youth Player of the Year Award.

At 18 years of age it's a great effort.

She's been an outstanding player for the local Albury Wodonga team and the accolades are well deserved.

The name Alex Duck will no doubt be one to watch in Australian Womens basketball for years to come.

Congratulations Alex!

Lady Bandits bow out.

It's been a great season for the Albury Wodonga Lady Bandits making the playoffs for the first time.
I wasn't at the game against Dandenong but going on the box scores it appears to have been a cracker!
On a head to head basis the teams have been separated by a matter of 2 points on each occasion leading up to the elimination final with Dandenong holding on both times.
And so it continued with with Dandenong getting out to an early advantage only to see it pulled back and then overtaken by the Lady Bandits, who went on to lead at the final break.
In typical fashion Dandenong regained the upper hand taking the game by, you guessed it, 2 points!
Despite the loss the girls can hold their heads high having achieved some great things this season.
Support has been strong from the local crowds and should hold them in good stead for the next season.
Well done girls.

Guest Blog Spot

Here's a link to a guest blog spot I had on Peter Robert Casey's hoops blog just recently.

Guest Blog

Trevor.

Cool Hoops Video.

I found this looking through Peter Robert Casey's blog.
Peter had mentioned Rucker Park to me in an email so I Googled the name, discovered some history and ended up finding this going through his older blogs.
Some great stuff on that blog!
Go check it out.
Peter Robert Casey

Vince Carter at Rucker Park.

Lady Bandits looking good!

I finally managed to get along to another home game and snap a few shots of a couple of great games.
The men went down to a strong Geelong outfit but all the same made the Supercats earn their victory.
With some bad luck during the season via the loss of two imports, the latest being Fernandez Lockett with a knee injury, the boys have been doing it tough.
First replacement in the form of Jermaine Williams has been doing a great job and slotted in quite well.
The latest replacement in Miles Pearce is a mountain of a man and with only a couple of games to fit in has been given a huge pair of shoes to fill.
The season hasn't looked too impressive on paper but the action and effort throughout cannot be denied.
Going down in some close games and with the younger players stepping up as they have good things could be on the horizon for the embattled team.
The women on the other hand have had a great season.
It's a young team with a new coach and a couple of imports from 'across the ditch'.
Lisa Wallbutton and Toni Edmondson have been brilliant for the team but then so have the local youth.
I've previously posted a pic of the young bench and what these girls have achieved this season is nothing short of amazing!
Under the guidance of 'supercoach' Ken Kereama they've taken the game to the stronger regional teams and come out looking the goods.
Satruday night was the perfect example, hosting Sandringham.
Down by 13 at the long break they soon closed the gap and finished the game with an 8 point victory.
Without having made a playoff series in their short history they currently sit 5th with a game to go.
They'll have the whole of Albury and Wodonga behind them and should they manage to host a final the roof would surely be lifted off the 'Hideout'!
Good luck girls!

Personally it's been a great season of shooting with plenty of action captured and while it's no NBL this league definitely provides a great night's entertainment.
With names like Gruber, Crosswell and Herbert, just to name a few, and the imports from the US, and of course NZ, no wonder it's become our premier winter league.
To have access to this level of basketball in regional areas is a huge boost to the game.

Aussie hoops is alive and well and our SEABL is helping to show the way.

Trevor.