JUNIOR RAIDERS GIRLS TO REPRESENT VICTORIA

Monday, July 09, 2012

Lucy Cochrane and Brianna Hans from the Knox ‘Commonwealth Bank Local Business Banking’ Junior Raiders have been selected to represent Victoria in the School Sport Australia Championships in Melbourne.

Cochrane and Hans currently play together in the under-14/1 Junior Raiders girls team coached by Suzi Porter, as well as with the Wasps in Knox ‘Sportsco’ Junior Domestic Competition.

The two girls went through a vigorous try-out process that began in March, with the girls beating out 65 others to cement a spot in the 12 years and under girls basketball team.

The tournament will be held from August 11-17, with Cochrane and Hans hopeful of bringing home gold in their first experience in the big V.

Cochrane and Hans, both 12-years-old, also participate in the Raiders ‘Smith’s Floorworld & Dunlop Flooring’ Academy, with Basketball Operations Manager Simon Mitchell overlooking the development of the duo.

“Both Lucy and Brianna are bottom age members of our National Championships bound U14 Raiders team. They are outstanding athletes with great work ethics,” Mitchell said.
“I am thrilled that both have received this acknowledgement and get the opportunity to represent the Victorian Primary Schools team.”

Cochrane and Hans have a busy few months ahead, members of the U14/1 Raiders girls that will be participating in the U14 Australian Club Championships in Adelaide.

The team qualified early June with a 7-2 record halfway through the VJBL season, and will compete in the tournament the start of October.

The tournament is the pinnacle of basketball in this country for this age group, with Knox’s track record over the last five years rather impressive, winning gold twice since 2007.

The last girls’ team to qualify was in 2010, where they finished fifth in the 24-team competition consisting of clubs from each of Australia’s states and territories.

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