The Bunbury Basketball Association’s Under 12 Girls’ side turned heads throughout the 2017/18 season.
Under the guidance of coach Sam Fotu, the team committed to the task and trained every Sunday over a five-month period.
Fotu and the girls zeroed-in on the fundamentals. The group quickly formed an impenetrable defense and mastered ball skills.
“I had them last year and we played as a new group then,” Fotu said.
“A lot of kids focus on scoring points. We flipped it and focused on stopping the other teams rather than scoring our own points.
“Where we finished up this year, compared to where we started last season, is really impressive and I am pretty proud of the girls.”
The team went on to clinch the Regional Championships in November and the State Championships Division Three title in December.
In February, the squad eclipsed Mandurah, 36 to 16, in the grand final of the U12 Girls’ WA Country Championships competition.
Bears Shenika Garlett and Alira Fotu were named All-Star players, while Sam was crowned U12s’ Championship All-Star Coach.
After the Bears’ impressive run, three team members were picked for a Basketball WA Hotshots Jamboree Camp.
The trio will join 40 players from across the state.
Many of the players have gone on to represent the Junior South West Slammers.
Fotu said he would love to coach the Bears during the 2018/19 basketball season.
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