THERE has been a basketbqall resurgence in Northam after a lean period of many years.
The halcyon days of players like Steve Dinka are long gone and the game was in something of a slump.
Now, for the first time in 17 years a local team has won a First Division Country Week title
On the weekend of February 16 and 17 the under-14 girls achieved this feat.
And they did it against teams from Bunbury, Mandurah, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton
After the completion of the round games, they finished on top of the ladder but went into the grand final as underdogs having lost their only round game against Mandurah, their grand final opponents.
The grand final was played with great intensity in front of a huge crowd.
At the final siren the game was tied 24-all, forcing an extra five minutes of overtime.
As the crowd grew larger the game lifted another gear.
The girls maintained composure and played with great skill and desire, finally running out winners in a thrilling 32-30 victory. The team also had three members named in the All Stars - Renae Robertson, Deborah Fred, and coach Troy Robertson.
On the same weekend the under-15 girls won the Division 2 title, with Kalee Pickett named an All Star of the division.
Their grand final was played against Collie whom they had lost to in the round games.
They fought hard and displayed great skill to win comfortably.
On the weekend of of February the under-13 boys won the Division 2 title in a thrilling 30-28 victory, even though they were the shortest team in the competition. A last second 2-point shot by Reuben Cail saved the day.
Deven Robertson and Kaije Slater were named in the All Star team.
The under-14 girls weremanaged by Mareesa Robertson. With umpire Scotty Griffin and scorers Michelle and Sharon O'Driscoll.
With Northam's new Recreation Centre, there has been renewed interest in basketball. There are many more teams at all levels.
