This time next week the long awaited visit by C J Bruton and his Brisbane Spartans team will be just one sleep away and fans are in for a basketball feast lasting two days.

On the Saturday morning , the Brisbane Spartans will take to the court at Taree Christian College for a training session in readiness for the tip off to their 2015 South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL) campaign against Frankston on 11 April 2015. The training session will be followed by a senior skills clinic for students in school years 8 to 12 also at the Taree Christian College before the touring party heads to Purfleet to raise the buzz for basketball in the community.

Then things fire up at Saxby’s Stadium at 3.30pm for another two hour junior skills clinic for children in school years 8 and below, then it’s off to the Taree West Bowling Club to be guests of Taree Basketball at the fundraising dinner/auction where Manning Valley residents will be able to grab the rare opportunity to mingle with high level basketball talent in a relaxed atmosphere.  

Sunday will see the Brisbane Spartans back on the training floor at Saxby’s Stadium under the guidance on their newly appointed coach, C J Bruton, as all the nuts and bolts that are needed by any successful team are put together for their tilt at the South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL) crown.

The day will wrap up with some fun activities for junior players, their parents and sponsors before the Brisbane Spartans jump on the bus mid afternoon for the long trek back to the Sunshine State.

Places are still available for the senior skills clinic ($40.00), the junior skills clinic ($20.00) and the dinner/auction (Adults $30.00/Children under 12 $15.00) but please grab them early next week before they are all gone.

The Taree Tornadoes junior basketballers hit the road last weekend for round one of the Northern Junior League in Armidale and the U16 boys returned outstanding result winning their first three games before going down by a single point in their fourth and final game of the weekend.

The U14girls also wrapped up the weekend the best way possible with a resounding win after competing well in their previous two clashes. 

The U14 boys and the injury ridden U18 girls found the going a little tougher but with a month of work on the training floor before their next weekend in Coffs Harbour on the 18 & 19 April 2015, they will no doubt surprise their opponents.

Taree Tornadoes U18 boys head to Tamworth for the start on their 2015 representative competition and although the division one level is new to them, their winning performances over the past two years as U16’s in the division two competition will hold them in good stead as they attempt to make their mark at this higher level.

The team faces Port Macquarie, Belligen and Armidale over the weekend and their supporters at home in Taree will be eagerly awaiting their results.

Tomorrow at Saxby’s Stadium the school competitions enter the business end of proceedings with semi finals to be played across the girls in school years 5 and 6, boys in school years 5 and 6 and high school students in years 7 and 8, while the younger children in school years 4 and below, whose games are not competitive will play all the way to Saturday, 28 March 2015

Domestic basketball competitions for seniors and juniors continue to run smoothly at Saxby’s Stadium on Tuesday afternoon/night and here are the results from earlier in the week. Women :- Headin Out 39 def Wing Nuts 20, All Stars 41 def Sharks 34, The Great Lakers 95 def Thompson's Termites 14, Hogan's Plumbing 48 def Towers Smash Repairs 11 Ausmulch 34 def Howard Funerals 33, MRD Electrical def Pink Ladies on a forfeit. Men :- Hawks 50 def Wildcats 47, Kings 54 def Kings 52.

Individual player registration fees are now overdue and it’s time to fulfill your obligations. No Pay, No Play ! ! !

Basketball, everyone’s game, is played at Saxby’s Stadium and further information about the junior, women’s and men’s competitions may be obtained by calling 6551 7456, jumping on the website at www.taree.basketball.net.au or on www.facebook.com/taree.tornadoes