Many of New Zealand’s most promising basketball talents have descended on Dunedin.
The Edgar Centre is hosting the national under-17 championships. They have attracted 37 teams — 20 boys and 17 girls — which include the bulk of the top talent in the age group.
Both Otago sides are top-four contenders.
The boys team, coached by Otago Nuggets assistant coach Hamish Robertson, is one of the more talented teams the region has had in recent years.
Waitaki Boys’ High School’s Danyon Ashcroft provides quality to the front court.
Otago Boys’ High School trio Eric Peita, George Grant and Noah McDowall have all been regulars in men’s A grade this year.
The girls team, coached by Otago Gold Rush forward Bronwyn Kjestrup, has plenty of talent, too.
Otago Girls’ High School forward-guard duo Abby Harris and Libby Briggs provide genuine threats from post and perimeter respectively.
St Hilda’s Collegiate’s Laura Ring will be one of the top bottom-age players at the tournament.
The finals will be held on Saturday afternoon before the Otago Nuggets play the Canterbury Rams.
