Coaches have their say: U20 Championships GF previews

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Championship glory and state pride is on the line as the Basketball Australia Under-20 Championships reach fever pitch at Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat.

After five days of heated competition, we have arrived at the final day with blockbuster grand final match-ups ahead to conclude the 2026 tournament.

In the women's, it's the red-hot Queensland side led by the likes of rising stars such as Prasayus Notoa and Vahaylia Seumanutafa looking to finally take home a gold medal after several years of finishing with silver, taking on South Australia who have hit peak form at the business end of the competition and feature several dominant talents including Coco Hodges, Keira Gardiner and Sienna Lehmann.

While in the men it'll be the surprise packets of the competition in Western Australia, coached by former NBL assistant Jamie O'Loughlin and boasting young stars such as Marley Sam and 7'6" Jongkuch Mach, going head-to-head with Lachlan Clark's New South Wales - who are blessed with incredible depth headlined by Bailey Hanson and Bailey Macarthur.

Basketball.com.au caught up with coaches from each grand final side ahead of today's gold medal matches.

WOMEN'S GRAND FINAL: QUEENSLAND VS SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1pm (AEDT)

QUEENSLAND COACH LUKE MCGUIRE

"I'm just really proud of the group and how they battled through the four quarters against NSW. We knew it would be a tough one and the word tough came up quite a bit throughout the day leading into the game. NSW have been the benchmark for this age group and have got QLD a couple of times so it was a great moment for the girls to be able to put on a tough performance like that.

"The connection of the group on both ends is what's impressed me most. They really want to win together and for each other. We have been talking about making the effort of 'helping someone' from camp 1 whether it’s on or off court and that showed today with how we played.

"It’s why we play competitive sport to play in gold medal games. Just another opportunity to test ourselves against the best and grow together. The group is excited for another battle together.

"A gold medal is always the goal when you play in a competitive tournament to win however the journey to the gold medal is most important. They’ve really bought in and locked in on the process which can be difficult at times in a week long tournament. We will be striving the put another connected performance together to hopefully complete the goal.

On Vahayliah Seumanutafa who has returned to the side after suffering a knee injury in a grand final vs NSW in 2024: I couldn’t be prouder of V, she is our culture leader and has played so well throughout the tournament. She is an unbelievable player but a better human and the impact she has on our group really can’t be put into words. Really happy for how she performed in the semi and she deserves it.

On the match-up with SA: "They are loaded with talent and are super dynamic. Poses a different challenge to what we’ve faced and something we will be excited to compete against. I’ve been really impressed with Gardiner and have always loved Hodges game. I think it’s going to be a great afternoon for the neutral fan!"

SOUTH AUSTRALIA COACH MORGAN TRELOAR

"I think for our group it’s been all tournament just about being better each game and taking it one possession at a time. Be great where your feet are. The girls are feeling good about where their basketball is at and excited for the challenge tomorrow.

"Their willingness to give the best of themselves to each other and to care about their team mates is what's impressed me most. Whether that’s off court or on court. They’re looking out for each other and giving each other what they need. They’ve taken ownership and accountability and we’ve made sure to empower them in the decision making process through all of our prep."

On if having SA Metro players who won U18 helps going into a GF: "I think it’s always good to go in with a bit of experience. Combining with SA Country for 20s provides a unique blend of experiences with almost all of our girls having gold medal game experience (Country won silver when Krystal, Sienna and Ella were bottom agers). I don’t think that plays into it too hugely on the day though. For us it’s just back to those same goals of getting better each game and giving everything where your feet are. One possession at a time. And, as always with medal games, you just need a little bit of luck and something to go your way.

On the match-up with QLD: "I think there is elite level talent everywhere on the court in tomorrow’s matchup so will be a great one to watch. The methodical nature of Prasayus and Coco at the point guard spot will be a great one for aspiring young ballers in that position. But overall, really just a win for the future of women’s basketball. Should be a great game."

MEN'S GRAND FINAL: WESTERN AUSTRALIA VS NEW SOUTH WALES 3pm (AEDT)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA COACH JAMIE O'LOUGHLIN

"The boys are proud of their performance in the semi-final. SA are a talented group led but an elite point guard and elite coach.

"What’s impressed me the most about the group has been their coach ability and unselfishness.The group has been pretty focused on fulfilling their potential at this years tournament. While some have been close to grand finals before, some have never made a semi or even played at a National Championships.

On the match-up with NSW: "NSW have had a great week. They have been great on the glass and their guards have been causing issues for their opponents."

On what it's like coaching WA after his career, which includes being in the NBL: "Coaching this group has been an absolute pleasure. We were very considered through the selection phase to find the best available combination of players, competitive, unselfish and coachable."

NEW SOUTH WALES COACH LACHLIN CLARK

"The feeling of getting to aa national championship grand final is surreal! We knew we were capable of knocking Victoria off and as long as we stuck to our brand of basketball that had got us this far in the tournament we had the confidence to go out there and get it done.

"The thing that has impressed me the most is the way the boys are playing for each other. But in saying that it also isn’t a stand out because from the moment this group was picked I knew I had something special, they play like brothers. They have the upmost faith in me and I have the upmost faith in them and I think that’s was separates us from the rest.

On the match-up with WA: "They haven’t worked there way the gold medal match by chance, it’s  going to be a tough and exciting game.  They are a tough and physical team that plays really hard.  Every match up is key and I can’t wait to hit the court this afternoon."