Sport
13 February, 2026
Basketball tournament readies for record numbers
Approximately 670 emerging basketballers will partake in a three-day tournament extravaganza this weekend when a record-breaking annual Maryborough Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud Basketball Tournament commences tonight.
An unprecedented 79 teams have entered the eight competitions, ranging from under 12s to under 18s, this year. Participating associations, such as the Border Sports Academy near Warrnambool and Deniliquin in New South Wales, have travelled great lengths to receive a piece of the action.
The entries are up from 54 teams last year, with organisers juggling a scheduling puzzle that includes a total of 156 games across seven courts.
Maryborough Basketball Association’s secretary, Adam Lowery, said it’s encouraging to see the tournament grow, giving the region’s future stars a chance to showcase their talent locally.
“It’s good to see that people want to come play here,” he said.
“You get home court advantage and you get a lot of family and friends who come and watch and maybe get interested in playing basketball as well.
“Basketball gives an opportunity to represent your town. Maryborough doesn’t really have that many places where you can represent Maryborough.”
The local Maryborough Blazers have eight teams entered into the various tournaments, hoping to replicate the success they achieved at the recent Portland Aluminium Junior South West Classic, where they won two championships.
The under 16 boys completed a magical division one tournament with an overtime victory in the Grand Final against the hosting Portland Coasters, 50-45.
The under 16 boys Blazers showcased their clutch gene throughout their championship run, winning four of their five games by five points or less.
While the under 16 boys Blazers clawed their way to glory, their under 16 girls counterparts dominated their opposition on their way to an impressive title in division two.
The under 16 girls won every game by 15 points or more, culminating in a commanding 53-14 win in the Grand Final against the Warrnambool Mermaids.
The Blazers will also be attempting to defend their under 12 boys titles, which they won last season.
“It shows that we can match it with some pretty good teams in those age groups,” Lowery said.
“The more they play, the better they get and when you play against better teams, you’ll get better.
“It’s exciting they are going well and the teams that won (in Portland) should go well again this week.”
The Maryborough Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud Basketball Tournament starts tonight and runs through Saturday, February 14, with finals on Sunday, February 15.
Games will be played at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre, Carisbrook Tullaroop Leisure Centre, Maryborough Education Centre, Castlemaine War Memorial Stadium and the Nolan Street Gymnasium, which returns after being deemed unusable by council last year.