BSSC basketballers ready for rivals - Bendigo Advertiser

BENDIGO and Ballarat rivalry heats up again this Sunday night when the Australian Secondary Schools basketball championships tips off at Bendigo Stadium.

The Bendigo Senior Secondary College boys’ team starts its campaign on showcourt one against St Patrick’s College Ballarat.

More than 120 teams will take to the courts throughout the six-day titles.

Teams vying for glory include China’s development squads, who compete on an invitational basis.

The Kevin Probert-coached BSSC Lions will be hoping for a winning start in the senior boys’ five competition.

As a teenager, Probert played at the national schools titles for Flora Hill SC, now Bendigo South East SC.

The brilliant guard first played for the Bendigo Braves in 2005 and has gone on to play more than 120 matches for the Symes Motors-backed team in the South East Australia Basketball League.

Next week’s schools tournament will be Probert’s sixth straight campaign as a Lions coach.

His first was as an assistant coach to Braves great David Flint, but Probert has taken charge for BSSC the past five years.

“Coaching is something I really enjoy,” Probert said yesterday.

“It’s a new group every year, which does make coaching harder, but also an exciting challenge as well.”

At last year’s titles in Bendigo, the Lions were runner-up in division two. It’s a completely new-look team this time, with centre Jarrod Kerwin the sole member of the 2011 campaign that remains.

“Jarrod will play a key role in every match for us,” Probert said.

The Lions also have the height and athleticism of Tom Kavanagh to stretch every defence.

“Defensive pressure will be a focus in every match,” Probert said.

“We have a really even team in terms of scoring power, whether it’s in the key or three-point arc.”

BSSC’s opponents in pool A include Australian International School, Kingsway Christian College, Sienna Catholic College, and Macquarie College.

Although they have had limited training sessions as a group, Probert was confident the Lions would play well.

“To be playing on the showcourt in the opening round is exciting for all of the squad.

“At last year’s tournament we had great support from students and teachers, so being on our home court is a huge plus.”

Earlier this year, BSSC was defeated by Catholic College Bendigo in the SSV qualifying tournament.

The Lions also played a challenge match against Bendigo police at the BSSC gym.

BSSC Lions squad: Aaron Bimpson, Lonain Burnett, Shaun Chalmer, Matt Gray, Tom Kavanagh, Jarrod Kerwin, Bensen Lenten, Josh Pell, Andrew Regan and Brendan Whitford.

Coach: Kevin Probert. Manager: Angela Pollock. Scorer: Ryan Burt.