All four Otago junior representative sides have made the top four at their respective national tournaments - and that may be a first.
The under-19 men's and women's teams are each in the third-fourth playoff at the national championships in Nelson, and the under-15 girls have made the semifinals of their tournament in Wellington.
Last week, the Otago under-17 boys team finished third (out of 20 teams) on the North Shore, beating Canterbury on the final day and losing to eventual champion Auckland by only five points.
The results are significant because Otago teams are always under-sized, and there have been years when the province has barely figured in the top 10.
Basketball Otago development officer Mark Dickel has had some career highs on the court but seeing the best young players in Otago improving at a rapid rate has been as rewarding as anything.
''I'm absolutely thrilled. To have every team that goes away making the top four is awesome,'' Dickel said yesterday.
''The majority of these kids come every morning and work so hard. We have a lot of depth now. All these teams have a bunch of really good players. We don't have to rely on just one or two. Everyone can contribute.
''We're trying to develop these kids and get them better, and the results reflect that. No longer do they feel like they have anything to worry about when we play anyone.
''That's been really enjoyable. It's been a mental hurdle as much as a physical thing.''
Both under-19 teams put up sound efforts in their respective semifinals yesterday.
The men were beaten 97-79 by a slick Waikato side. For Otago, Joseph Cook-Green had 21 points, Sam Timmins had 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, and Josh Petermann had 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Otago women fell 61-52 to Canterbury Metro. There was a lovely piece of symmetry when the Ruske sisters, Aleisha and Nicole, each scored 19 points. Whitnee Wehi added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
At the under-15 tournament, Otago won three of its first four games before upsetting Wellington 65-61 in the quarterfinal. It was playing Auckland last night for a place in the final.
