Junior Lakers, Lauren Ross and Bella Stratford, have been selected to represent SA Country at the Australian Under 16 Championships to be played in Ulverstone Tasmania in July.

Stratford’s selection as a first year in this age group deserves a special mention.

Both junior basketballers play for their respective Clubs in the local senior South East Coast Basketball League. They have also enjoyed considerable successes as members of Basketball Mount Gambier Junior Lakers teams, the victorious Tenison Woods College Titans and SA Country teams through the age groups of Under 14 and 16, including the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in Albury.

They both lead extremely busy lives and have achieved successes at elite levels in a range of other sports. Lauren has an outstanding record in a range of sports including Athletics and Netball. Her trophy cabinet boasts 8 Gold and 4 Silver SA Country Athletics Championship Medals in three years of competition.

Lauren is also enjoying a stellar career in Netball. She is currently a member of the Region Academy and was a member of the Western Border Junior team which won a State Junior Championship. She plays for the strong North Gambier Club.

Bella, one of three first year players in the 2015 SA Country Basketball State team, has also excelled in Cricket. She was a member of the 12 and Under state team in 2012 and 2013 and followed up with selection in the State 15 and Under in 2014.

She has been recognised as one of the most talented AFL umpires in South Australia in the State-wide Development Program. Bella’s undoubted natural athletic ability is reflected in her selection in Regional Athletics squads as well.

Melissa Rathjen of Mount Gambier is Manager of the Team and Millicent Basketball Manager, Peter Seebohm, is Assistant Coach.

The players and officials are currently attending weekly trainings in Adelaide in preparation for the Nationals in July.