Hopes high as teams fly to national comp

A coach and a co-captain — accompanied by two rising stars — flew out of Geraldton yesterday bound for northern Queensland.

Aaron Ducas is coach of the WA country under-18 basketball side who will contest the national championships, which start in Townsville tomorrow.

Promising players River Joseph, son of Buccs coach Dayle Joseph, and his Chapman Valley clubmate Josh Hunt, vice-captain, will play under Ducas. All-round sportswoman Kayley King is co-captain of the WA country under-18 girls side.

“We have the opening ceremony on Saturday morning and then we face Vic Metro in the afternoon, so it’s straight into the fire,” Ducas said.

“River and Josh played senior grade for Chapman Valley this year and it has promoted their development.

“They are doing well, as is Kayley, who was the runner-up in the GABA best player award this season. This is my second year as head coach of the country side after leading them to Geelong last year.

“For the four years prior to that I was an assistant coach.

“We (WA country) had our best result last year but we are looking to do better next week.

“It’s exciting times for basketball in Geraldton right now. The Buccs are doing well and the D1 (development squad) are coming along. And there are so many youngsters playing the sport.”