Basketball
31 March, 2025
Raptors represent
On March 15 and 16 the Nhill/Dimboola Raptors Under 16 representative team played at the Victorian Country Championships in Melton.
The team was formed by Nic Mattschoss and Fabian Lauricella in September 2024 in conjunction with an Under 14 side who played two tournaments last year.
The Under 16s recently competed in the Portland tournament and have been training together twice a week in the lead up to the Champs.
The Raptors began the weekend in the combined Division 5 and 6 pool playing a tough game against the Ararat Redbacks.
This was followed by another tough game against Mansfield Eagles.
Saturday evening saw the Raptors post their first win, 44-22 against Myrtleford Saints, placing them in the Division 6 pool for finals on Sunday.
Sunday morning the Raptors played Myrtleford again in the quarter-final this time another win in a closer encounter 37-42.
The semi-final at Cobblebank Stadium was played against the Foster Breakers and whilst the Raptors posted a huge lead in the first quarter, Foster fought back to close the gap at half time.
The Raptors continued to work hard to make the Grand Final with a 63-49 win.
The Grand Final on Sunday afternoon was played against a strong Lakes Entrance Pelicans team where the Raptors went down 56-33.
Congratulations to Dane Paech who finished the tournament in the top three scorers from 170 players in Div 5 and 6.
Top scorers for the Raptors over the Championship weekend was Dane Paech with 85 points, followed by Charlie Bell (24), Lenny Clark (23) and Douglas Lunga (21).
Congratulations to the Raptors 16s team who have represented the clubs well over the past six months.
The players and families thank Fab and Nic for all their time and effort coaching, sharing their expertise has seen this group of boys develop their basketball skills and they have represented their communities well.
The Raptors thank the generosity of their sponsors, Bendigo Bank Dimboola Branch, Nutrient Ag, Dimboola Clothing and Co, Pigeon Post, and Mattschoss Productions.