2018 UNDER-16 CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP- DAY 1

For a full review of the Day 1 games as well as the draws, ladders and top performers, click here.

Held on the Sunshine Coast for the first time ever, the 2018 Under-16’s has gotten underway with the best junior players from around the country showing off their talents while representing their state and territories.

For the Under-16 girls, reigning Champions Vic Metro got off to a strong start with a 49-48 victory over the home side Qld South.

Tess Heal tallied a game-high 16 points but her team had to fight until the last second with Qld South scoring the final six points of the game.

Vic Metro then went on to secure a second win later in the day against ACT while WA Metro got the better of NT and NSW Metro defeated SA Country to also find success in Group A.

Group B for the girls saw Vic Country crack the century mark as Piper Dunlop collected a double-double, Qld North put on a stunning defensive performance against Tas and SA Metro utilise a 22-6 opening quarter to beat NSW Country.

For the Under-16 boys, SA Metro got the job done against WA Country and NT by an average margin of 39 points to move to the top of Group A.

Speaking after their contest against WA Country, SA Metro head coach Scott Butler stated that while not being entirely happy with the second half, the team would be content with a fairly comfortable win in the first round.

“Our opposition played really hard, but we were able to physically outmatch them,” he said.

“WA Country teams always play hard though, that’s what they hang their hat on and that team certainly did.”

WA Country head coach Carl Catalano rued his team’s mistakes.

“Just too many turnovers, the boys got a bit rattled at times, but they settled in patches and looked really good as well, so there’s a lot to like and there’s a lot to work on.”

In other results for the boys, Vic Country easily took care of defending Champions Qld North and NSW Metro got on the winners list as well while NSW Country, Vic Metro and WA Metro all prevailed in Pool B.

For all the draws, results and LiveStats click here.

Results and top performers from Day 1 of the 2018 Under-16 Australian Championships being held on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.