Mount Gambier was strongly represented at the 2015 Australian Under 20 National Championships in Dandenong Victoria last week. Two current players, Kane deWit and Mony Makoi along with former Laker, Georgia Green, produced eye catching performances as they all had telling impacts on their teams’ results and hence final standings on the national stage.

Green and deWit, in his first year in this age group, were rewarded for their impressive efforts at national level by gaining starting five status as the Championships unfolded.

All three have established themselves in the top bracket of the State in this age group.

Both S A teams finished fourth at the end of the minor rounds of the competition and faced the huge assignment of taking on Victoria in the respective semi-finals.

Victoria won grand final spots with authoritative wins, 81-51 in the women’s and 104-58 in the Men’s contests. Green scored 10 points, deWit 8 and Makoi 6 points backed up by 8 rebounds in these finals.

The SA women finished on a winning note, pulling off a magnificent turnaround result against NSW 72-69 in the Bronze Medal playoff in which Green scored 12 points. Earlier in the week NSW comfortably accounted for SA 74-57.

NSW Men however defeated SA 79-65, a significantly smaller margin than in the minor round contest to take home Bronze. These results reflect the improvement made by the South Australians over the week of Championships.       

deWit, in his first year of Under 20’s, averaged 12 points per game and 9^th in the overall list, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. He led the team’s scoring with 20 points in their 97-63 win against ACT.

Makoi, a consistent contributor, averaged 11 points per game and 6 rebounds.

Green in her final national junior championship appearance, averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds per game. She has been an outstanding and very committed player for SA Country and now SA during her years in junior ranks.