Lakers Men to Compete in Country Basketball Championships
The Lakers Men travel to Adelaide this weekend to defend their A Grade Country Championship title. In 2015 the Lakers defeated Murray Bridge 54-46 in the title match.
The Lakers Men will comprise the majority of the Country Victorian League team and Brad Rathjen, who will join the team on his return from the five day Australian Junior Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport.
The Lakers men are in the middle of a demanding program, which started on the weekend of January 10th when they lost by 2points to Portland at the seaside venue and then defeated Warrnambool the next day at the Ice House. Last weekend they enjoyed two away wins against Colac and Terang. This weekend they are Adelaide bound for the SA Country Championships, next they are at home for the Country Basketball League semi-finals and if successful, will travel to Horsham on February 6th to contest the CBL Grand Final.
Simon Berkefeld and Chris Mason have led the Lakers to their successes in previous seasons and have also won individual MVP awards. Brad Rathjen, recently named in the SA Under 20 side, will miss a game over the weekend because of State training.
Strongest opposition is likely to come from Murray Bridge and Eastern Hills.
It is expected that this premier weekend of SA Country Basketball will also add to their final preparation for the CBL Finals’ series.
The Lakers begin their defence of the SA Country Championships at Wayville stadium against Strathalbyn at 1.20pm on Saturday. The Lakers then meet Whyalla and close out the day against Port Pirie.
On Sunday they will compete in a Quarter Final followed by Semi-finals and the Grand Final scheduled to conclude the weekend.
Members of the Lakers’ Men’s team to compete in the 2016 SA Country Championships this weekend are: Matt Berkefeld, Simon Berkefeld, Dellon Brown, Sam Stafford, Brad Close, Josh Jenner, Chris Mason, Braiden Ousey and Brad Rathjen. Coach Sonya Knight and manager Melissa Rathjen.
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