Victoria sets tone on Day 1 of Australian Country Cup

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Day one of the 2026 Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup of both the boys’ and girls’ competitions delivered a strong early snapshot of depth, balance and emerging talent across states and regions.

In the boys’ draws, Victoria set the early benchmark. The Vic Goldminers and Vic Bushrangers were particularly dominant across U18, U16 and U14 age groups, combining scoring balance with defensive pressure. Tasmania also made a statement, with the Tas Tigers and Tas Devils producing multiple wins built on transition offence and physicality, while NSW teams such as the Kookaburras and Waratahs showed resilience and offensive firepower despite mixed results.

New Zealand sides NZ Kea and NZ Weka injected pace and scoring punch, highlighted by several high-output individual performances, while Albury Wodonga emerged as a competitive regional force.

The girls’ competition mirrored that intensity. Victoria again asserted itself, with the Vic Bushrangers and Vic Goldminers recording decisive wins across multiple age groups. NSW teams were competitive throughout, particularly the Waratahs and Kookaburras, who featured prominently in close contests and late-game finishes. South Australia’s Sharks and Magpies showcased strong guard play, while Tasmania’s Tigers and Devils consistently pressured defensively. ACT Nationals and NZ Weka added depth and contrast, contributing to a balanced and highly competitive field.

Collectively, the early rounds reinforced the tournament’s role as a genuine national and international proving ground, with performances across both boys’ and girls’ divisions setting a high standard for the remainder of the week.

U18 Boys Division 1

Round 1 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• Vic Goldminers 86 def. NSW Waratahs 52 — Scorers: Riley Dilges 22, Lucas Byrne 17, William Hamilton & Ayden Kenshole 11 (Goldminers); James Lezcano 11, Lado Kuron 9, Samson Nathan 8 (Waratahs).
• Tas Devils 64 def. U18 Boys SA Sharks 35 — Scorers: Johnty Dynan 14, Nash Armstrong 12, Liam Dolliver & Ryan Lamprey 8 (Devils); Johnathan Vosser 8, Albert Peters 8, Harry Breadnam 6 (Sharks).

Pool B

• Vic Bushrangers 64 def. U18 Boys NSW Kookaburras 60 — Scorers: Jackson Hood 17, Christian Beecroft 14, Zacharie Morrell 9 (Bushrangers); Jack Rumble 18, Fill-in 17, Maximillian Morton 7 (Kookaburras).
• Tas Tigers 78 def. U18 Boys SA Magpies 52 — Scorers: Sebastian Oliver 16, Oliver Rattray 13, James Dare 13 (Tigers); Marcus Mudge 11, Cooper Clayfield 10, Leo Roach 8 (Magpies).

Round 2 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• Vic Goldminers 76 def. U18 Boys Tas Devils 48 — Scorers: Lucas Byrne 21, Riley Dilges 12, William Hamilton & Ayden Kenshole 7 (Goldminers); Khobe Speed 15, Johnty Dynan 10, Ryan Lamprey 9 (Devils).
• Albury Wodonga 69 def. U18 Boys NSW Waratahs 52 — Scorers: Charlie Sutton 23, Mateo Hanley 13, Ayce Nicholson 9 (Albury Wodonga); Rory Milross-Rose 11, Samson Nathan 10, Jarrah Van den Berg 7 (Waratahs).

Pool B

• Vic Bushrangers 90 def. U18 Boys ACT Gunners 40 — Scorers: Nicholas Harvey 16, Jackson Hood 12, Jacob Stefek 11 (Bushrangers); Parker Hobbs 12, Orlando Blazeski 7, Kofi Okai 6 (Gunners).
• NSW Kookaburras 70 def. U18 Boys SA Magpies 45 — Scorers: Riley Saville 15, Maximillian Morton 12, William Dooley 8 (Kookaburras); Joshua Munday 12, Hendrik Pierre Muller 10, Nathaniel Mercer 7 (Magpies).

U18 Girls Division 1

Round 1 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• Vic Goldminers 55 def. U18 Girls NSW Waratahs 40 — Scorers: Emmerson Moore 12, Ella Condon 10, Eliza Ashby 8 (Goldminers); Grace Lane 10, Elley Hawken 10, Josephine Irvin 7 (Waratahs).
• SA Sharks 74 def. U18 Girls Tas Devils 67 — Scorers: Daisy Hocking 32, Keeley Molyneux 12, Leni Geister 8 (Sharks); Brydee McPherson 22, Elliot Jordan 12, Riley Causby 9 (Devils).

Pool B

• Vic Bushrangers 36 def. U18 Girls NSW Kookaburras 33 — Scorers: Jade Chow 9, Ayisha Balogun 6, Ella Mercieca & Stephanie Nellen 6 (Bushrangers); Addison Bonham 17, Jazzy Gordon 4, Hayley De Friskbom 4 (Kookaburras).
• SA Magpies 45 def. U18 Girls Tas Tigers 44 — Scorers: Emerson Beeching 8, Lily Milosevic 8, Ruby Stockley 8 (Magpies); Maya Davies 9, Ke’ala Owens 9, Elka Hutton & Willow McDonald 6 (Tigers).

Round 2 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• Vic Goldminers 40 def. U18 Girls Tas Devils 30 — Scorers: Alice Siale 8, Marley Alimpic 7, Georgia Baensch 7 (Goldminers); Matilda Neate 10, Inika Barnes 7, Samantha Cooper 4 (Devils).
• NSW Waratahs 64 def. U18 Girls Albury Wodonga 58 — Scorers: Elley Hawken 14, Fill-in 13, Olivia Pupovac 10 (Waratahs); Ellie Lyons 14, Crystal Holdsworth 11, Molly Moylan 8 (Albury Wodonga).

Pool B

• Vic Bushrangers 91 def. U18 Girls ACT Nationals 23 — Scorers: Lena Wiltsher 18, Ayisha Balogun 17, Azalea Wighton 13 (Bushrangers); Scarlett Cooke 6, Mia Noonan 4, Aubrey Lancarter 4 (ACT Nationals).
• NSW Kookaburras 43 def. U18 Girls SA Magpies 39 — Scorers: Addison Bonham 20, Zoe Keeble 5, Zara Suka 4 (Kookaburras); Ruby Stockley 9, Emerson Beeching 8, Lila Pearson 8 (Magpies).

U16 Boys Division 1

Round 1 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• Vic Goldminers 59 def. U16 Boys NSW Waratahs 47 — Scorers: Wil Nisbet 21, Chavi Sulic 13, Wil Jones 10 (Goldminers); David Conallin 14, Lachlan Butler 9, Jai Donnelly & James Chalmers 7 (Waratahs).
• Albury Wodonga 56 def. U16 Boys SA Sharks 54 — Scorers: Brock Buckland 19, Chance Keatch 13, Lachlan Baitch 7 (Albury Wodonga); Evan Carter 10, Mattix Pollard 9, Nathaniel Borgas 9 (Sharks).
• U16 Boys Tas Tigers 80 def. U16 Boys ACT Gunners 56 — Scorers: Greyson Boxhall 13, Jake Roocke 12, Noah Walker 12 (Tigers); Tanish Shinde 25, Daniel Smith 9, Viraat Ram Gajjala 6 (Gunners).

Pool B

• U16 Boys Vic Bushrangers 56 def. U16 Boys NSW Kookaburras 51 — Scorers: Liam Arbon 10, Oliver Jordan 9, River Sisic 9 (Bushrangers); Ben Hayes-Gaal 11, Cooper Smith 8, Tallin Morris & Edem Dowling 6 (Kookaburras).
• U16 Boys NZ Weka 60 def. U16 Boys SA Magpies 44 — Scorers: Liam Bennett 13, Xavier van Kuijk 13, Loncey Swann 10 (Weka); Bryce Reid 11, Austin May 8, Braxton Scaife 6 (Magpies).
• U16 Boys SA Wombats 65 def. U16 Boys Tas Devils 55 — Scorers: Jack Green 25, Henry Kennedy 13, Kai Fitton 10 (Wombats); Travis Simmons 13, Aston Thomas-Buckley 12, Oliver Rolls 11 (Devils).

U16 Girls Division 1

Round 1 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• U16 Girls Vic Goldminers 58 def. U16 Girls NSW Waratahs 31 — Scorers: Jada Hill 16, Molly Beasley 13, Fatasinga Liz Malua 6 (Goldminers); Jada Shackleton 10, Indy Bradley 8, Ava Gillard 5 (Waratahs).‍
• U16 Girls SA Sharks 70 def. U16 Girls NZ Weka 32 — Scorers: Julia Harris 19, Piper Wardle 17, Jayme Koch 11 (Sharks); Khloe Christison 18, Anahera Beattie 5, Cameron Phillips 2 (Weka).
• U16 Girls Tas Tigers 47 def. U16 Girls ACT Nationals 26 — Scorers: Ellie Schulze 21, Bronte Krapf 8, Poppi Reynolds 6 (Tigers); Gurasees Gill 6, Mila Sommariva 5, Madeleine Richardt 4 (ACT Nationals).

Pool B

• U16 Girls Tas Devils 42 def. U16 Girls SA Magpies 39 — Scorers: Eliza Boucher 19, Milla Ransley 13, Gabrielle Ling 5 (Devils); Mackenzie Pitt 10, Penny Douglass 10, Emma Jones 8 (Magpies).
• ‍U16 Girls Albury Wodonga 44 def. U16 Girls SA Wombats 37 — Scorers: Josephine Herman 6, Molly Collins 6, Lara Collins & Arhi Cohen 6 (Albury Wodonga); Elle MacDermot 8, Eva Harris 7, Ruby Harvey 5 (Wombats).‍
• U16 Girls Vic Bushrangers 78 def. U16 Girls NSW Kookaburras 54 — Scorers: Ashlee Spark 17, Mila Childs 13, Ruby Ogilvy 11 (Bushrangers); Lara Tillott 16, Emily Clark 9, Amarliyah Howes 9 (Kookaburras).

Round 2 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• U16 Girls Vic Goldminers 82 def. U16 Girls NZ Weka 13 — Scorers: Sienna Raco 17, Molly Beasley 14, Jada Hill 14 (Goldminers); Talei-Jean Lilo 5, Khloe Christison 5, Lucia Miller 2 (Weka).‍
• U16 Girls SA Sharks 79 def. U16 Girls ACT Nationals 32 — Scorers: Julia Harris 20, Piper Wardle 13, Jayme Koch 13 (Sharks); Gurasees Gill 8, Maimuna Shave 7, Carla Beswick 4 (ACT Nationals).
• ‍U16 Girls Tas Tigers 58 def. U16 Girls NSW Waratahs 51 — Scorers: Ellie Schulze 13, Clementine Dell 12, Bronte Krapf 7 (Tigers); Ava Gillard 11, Indy Bradley 11, Ashley Boutros 7 (Waratahs).

Pool B

• U16 Girls Vic Bushrangers 64 def. U16 Girls SA Wombats 40 — Scorers: Mila Childs 13, Georgia Fitzpatrick 9, Ruby Ogilvy 9 (Bushrangers); Eva Harris 12, Sloan Chivell 6, Letty Male 6 (Wombats).
• ‍U16 Girls SA Magpies 53 def. U16 Girls NSW Kookaburras 52 — Scorers: Mackenzie Pitt 17, Emma Twigden 9, Addyson Bertholini 9 (Magpies); Lara Tillott 15, Emily Clark 10, Natalie Nawauwi 8 (Kookaburras)‍
• U16 Girls Tas Devils 50 def. U16 Girls Albury Wodonga 34 — Scorers: Milla Ransley 17, Eliza Boucher 15, Charlie Ashford 6 (Devils); Molly Collins 11, Emerson O’Neill 6, Lucy Hocking 6 (Albury).

U14 Boys Division 1

Round 1 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• U14 Boys NZ Kea 48 def. NSW Waratahs 44 — Scorers: Te Kaharoa Poihipi 28, Maihi Goldsmith 6, Ethan Bennett 5 (NZ Kea); Kimbo Kuron 15, Felix Schmidt 8, Noah Craig 8 (NSW Waratahs).‍
• U14 Boys Tas Tigers 65 def. Vic Goldminers 50 — Scorers: Lockleigh Duncombe 14, Ziggy Clements 9, Campbell Mayne 8 (Tas Tigers); Benji Herdman 20, Leo De Rosa 7, Fletcher Rush 7 (Vic Goldminers).‍
• U14 Boys SA Magpies 65 def. ACT Gunners 61 — Scorers: Tobias Brayford 11, Jarvi Thompson 10, Nicolas Moran 10 (SA Magpies); Zachary Dyska 20, Angus Ireland 9, Noah Rossiter 8 (ACT Gunners).

Pool B

• U14 Boys NZ Weka 58 def. Vic Emus 53 — Scorers: Nesta Vine Godbold 15, Miguel Hikuroa 13, Keanu Ashdown-Edmonds 11 (NZ Weka); Hunter Sisic 10, Duke Mendoza 9, Cooper Jackson 7 (Vic Emus).
• ‍U14 Boys NSW Kookaburras 71 def. SA Sharks 52 — Scorers: Brooklyn Tupaea 21, Bailey McFarland 16, Marcos Salera 7 (NSW Kookaburras); Callum Wilksch 14, Noah Noble 12, Emmett Phillips 7 (SA Sharks).
• ‍U14 Boys Vic Bushrangers 73 def. Tas Devils 41 — Scorers: Brady Martyn 16, Jacob Brown 12, Eamon Macpherson 10 (Vic Bushrangers); Max Blyth 9, Henry Stevenson 8, Archie Downton 6 (Tas Devils).

Round 2 – Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Pool A

• U14 Boys Tas Tigers 73 def. NZ Kea 56 — Scorers: Lockleigh Duncombe 18, Maxwell Roozendaal 16, Thomas Hogg 10 (Tas Tigers); Ethan Bennett 20, Te Kaharoa Poihipi 18, Maihi Goldsmith 9 (NZ Kea).
• ‍U14 Boys Vic Goldminers 68 def. NSW Ospreys 53 — Scorers: Benji Herdman 19, Luangkuoth Diu 14, Cooper Crosbie 10 (Vic Goldminers); William Rounsley 14, Jack Kirkland 13, Aidyn Garcia 7 (NSW Ospreys).
• U14 Boys NSW Waratahs 65 def. ACT Gunners 41 — Scorers: Kimbo Kuron 19, Noah Craig 11, Vincent Benfield 9 (NSW Waratahs); Zachary Dyska 13, Emmanuel Deng 8, Leek Aleer 5 (ACT Gunners).

Pool B

• U14 Boys Albury Wodonga 64 def. NZ Weka 46 — Scorers: Noah Pierce 26, Blake Di Stefano 14, Hudson Pallmann 11 (Albury Wodonga); Nesta Vine Godbold 12, Miguel Hikuroa 12, Connor Watson 10 (NZ Weka).
• ‍U14 Boys NSW Kookaburras 72 def. Vic Emus 43 — Scorers: Brooklyn Tupaea 26, Arman Luqman Hakim 12, Bailey McFarland 11 (NSW Kookaburras); Zachary Eccles 9, Hunter Sisic 8, Jack Leddin 6 (Vic Emus).
• ‍U14 Boys SA Sharks 68 def. Tas Devils 54 — Scorers: Talon Mayfield 11, Peter Dunk 10, Callum Wilksch 9 (SA Sharks); Izaiah Grace 17, Nate Debnam 8, Saxon Woods 6 (Tas Devils).

U14 Girls Division 1

Round 1 (Tuesday, 13 January 2026)

Pool A

• U14 Girls Vic Goldminers 52 def. NSW Waratahs 37 — Scorers: Evie Tucker 10, Avaya Mittelmajer 9, Poppy Molloy 9 (Vic Goldminers); Angelina Marsters 8, Sofia Nikolas 8, Sophie Walker 6 (NSW Waratahs).
• ‍U14 Girls ACT Nationals 42 def. SA Magpies 26 — Scorers: Oluwatoni Olatunbosun 11, Jessica Ryall 10, Anushka Rao 9 (ACT Nationals); Emma Schultz 5, Hadley Thompson 5, Imogen Weston 4 (SA Magpies)
• ‍U14 Girls NSW Ospreys 37 def. Tas Tigers 29 — Scorers: Bridie Lawson 9, Sienna Penn 6, Chelsea Hughan 6 (NSW Ospreys); Molly Illingworth 12, Violet Allanson 8, Matilda Tringrove 3 (Tas Tigers).

Pool B

• U14 Girls Vic Bushrangers 53 def. NZ Weka 45 — Scorers: Adele Pinkerton 12, Charlotte Koers 9, Ivy Hodgson 8 (Vic Bushrangers); Arabella Macapagal 10, Tyela van Kuijk 10, Charlie Lazarus 7 (NZ Weka).‍
• U14 Girls NSW Kookaburras 62 def. SA Sharks 27 — Scorers: Lara Hooper 10, Eleanor Taylor 9, Paris Cox 8 (NSW Kookaburras); Na’delle Matz 11, Isla Slotegraaf 4, Scarlett Douglass 4 (SA Sharks).
• ‍U14 Girls Vic Emus 45 def. Tas Devils 42 — Scorers: Tessa Jennings 10, Maya Smith 10, Neve Sasulu 6 (Vic Emus); Arlie Reeve 9, Murphie Bain 9, Georgina Chilcott 7 (Tas Devils).

Round 2 (Tuesday, 13 January 2026)

Pool A

• U14 Girls Vic Goldminers 59 def. Tas Tigers 58 — Scorers: Poppy Molloy 18, Evie Tucker 16, Eily Ellis-Fedke 7 (Vic Goldminers); Claire Masters 21, Molly Illingworth 19, Violet Allanson 10 (Tas Tigers).
• ‍U14 Girls NSW Waratahs 71 def. SA Magpies 28 — Scorers: Angelina Marsters 18, Millie Cook 12, Sofia Nikolas 11 (NSW Waratahs); Imogen Baker 6, Emma Schultz 5, Imogen Weston 4 (SA Magpies).
• ‍U14 Girls NSW Ospreys 55 def. ACT Nationals 36 — Scorers: Sienna Penn 17, Bridie Lawson 10, Charlee Edwards 9 (NSW Ospreys); Oluwatoni Olatunbosun 7, Jessica Ryall 6, Anushka Rao 5 (ACT Nationals).

Pool B

• U14 Girls Vic Emus 64 def. NZ Weka 40 — Scorers: Anna Rongdit 14, Neve Sasulu 11, Tessa Jennings 8 (Vic Emus); Elora Wanoa 9, Charlie Lazarus 8, Te Wai Kura Hayes 5 (NZ Weka).
• ‍U14 Girls Vic Bushrangers 56 def. NSW Kookaburras 47 — Scorers: Charlotte Koers 14, Harper Williamson 14, Ivy Hodgson 12 (Vic Bushrangers); Private player 18, Eleanor Taylor 14, Mackenzie Sims 4 (NSW Kookaburras).
• ‍U14 Girls Tas Devils 52 def. SA Sharks 48 — Scorers: Ruby Leedham 16, Murphie Bain 9, Claire Farr 8 (Tas Devils); Sage Feltus 12, Na’delle Matz 11, Indi Slater 8 (SA Sharks).