Stars shoot for teams

THREE budding stars of the court are set to shine at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) next month.
Two junior Knox Raiders and a Kilsyth Cobras star will go head-to-head with others across the country at selection camp for the Australian under-17 boys and girls squads for the FIBA Oceania Championships.
The championships will be held in Brisbane from 20 to 22 August as Australia attempts to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championships.
Raiders, Patrick Mockiewicz and Taylor Dyson were picked in the 25-man squad and will be vying for selection into the 12-man final roster, which will be selected after the June trials at the AIS.
The squads were selected following the 2008 Under 16 National Junior Championships held in July and the 2009 Under 18 National Junior Championships in April.
Being selected to the prestigious squad was a great achievement for both players who possess an enormous amount of potential.
Pat who currently plays in the under-16 1 Raiders boys’ team and Taylor who plays in the under-18 1 Raiders boys’ team will showcase their ability against the country’s best young talent. The team will be led by Guy Molloy (head coach) and Paul Jones (assistant coach).
Raiders’ education and development co-ordinator, Glenn Clark, said it was a wonderful achievement for both boys.
“To be a part of this squad clearly illustrates something that people involved with the Knox Ford Raiders have long known, that Patrick and Taylor are definite players of the future,” he said.
“To even just be invited to attend the camp as a part of the 25-man squad is fantastic in itself, but to go there with the knowledge that at the conclusion of the camp a team of 12 will be selected that will then participate in the FIBA Oceania Championships is another thing entirely.”
Kilsyth Cobra Rebekah O’Donnell has also scored a spot to try out for the girls’ squad.
At the camp held on 15-18 June at the Australian Institute of Sport, 25 men and 25 women will be vying for the chance to represent Australia.