Penrith’s U14 Girls team. Photo supplied
PENRITH’S U14 Girls and Boys JPL teams recently competed at the Basketball Australia U14 National Club Championships in Willeton, WA, finishing 18th and 15th respectively.
It was the second year in a row a Penrith girls team had qualified for the National titles, as one of the top 24 teams in Australia. The young Panthers had already tasted success this year, winning the NSW U14 Girls State JPL title and also being
named the PVSF Female Team of the Year.
Head coach Jeff Cooper spoke after the U14 Championships, saying, “The tournament did not start well when one of our starting players could not make it until Sunday night, which meant missing the first game. Then our Assistant Coach John Hennessy had to return home due to his father not being in the best of health and he was a big loss to the team, but his family naturally came first. We were sad to hear his father passed after John got home and our sympathy goes out to all the Hennessy family. We also lost Carolyn Hennessy mid-week to a shoulder injury.
“Saturday saw (former Penrith and NBL coach) Rob Beveridge come and address the girls and boys teams and everyone was appreciative of Rob giving up his time and his words of wisdom were taken in by all.
“The girls were excited to be there and all week, they played hard and never stopped trying but unfortunately consistency and inconsistency played a part and our results did not go as we had hoped.
“They also learnt about physicality from interstate teams, particularly the Victorians, and also how they are skilled, with height being a factor, and athleticism.
“In the last two games without Carolyn, the girls fought on hard and in the end we finished 18th and as their coach, I could not have been prouder of this team and I was very appreciative of the support from John Hennessy and Lisa Baxmann, our assistant coaches, and Angela Auvaa, our team manager.
“This year is my last year coaching U14’s and it was my third time attending the U14 Club Championships, with the first time being back in 1996.”
Penrith U14 Girls – lost 50-36 to Eastern Mavericks, lost 50-26 to Camberwell Dragons, won 59-43 over Northern Tigers, won 61-25 over Lakeside Lightning, lost 72-45 to Sydney Comets, lost 48-45 to Traralgon T-Birds, won 65-39 over Brisbane Capitals, lost 57-46 to Sydney Comets to finish in 18th position.
Penrith U14 Boys – lost 62-59 to Geelong United, won 126-19 over NT Southern Suns, lost 85-81 to Warwick Senators, won 65-56 over Sutherland Sharks, lost 55-42 to Logan Thunder, won 78-65 over Northside Wizards, lost 73-63 to South West Metro Pirates, lost 74-61 to Willetton Tigers to finish in 15th position.
