Whakatāne basketball players have helped Tauranga City Basketball Association’s Under-16 A Premier team qualify for the national championships after finishing runners-up at the Mid North Championships over King’s Birthday weekend.

Held at Mercury Baypark, the tournament brought together some of the region’s top young talent, with 15 teams from Rotorua, Waikato, Taupō, Thames Valley and Te Aroha competing.

Te Aturangi Matenga-Kara from Trident High School and Maire-rangi Tutua and Albie Cameron from Whakatāne High School played for the TCBA U16 A side in the Premier Division, the tournament’s top grade.

The team narrowly lost to Rotorua in the final, securing second place and qualifying for the U16 National Championships in Christchurch next month.

“I knew this tournament was going to be tough, and it was,” Albie said. “I’m looking forward to nationals and can’t wait to play Rotorua again.”

Other Whakatāne High School students also impressed in the A Division, including Rico Te Pou, James Searancke, Tame Bolton and Te Ramaapakura Ngaropo, who finished third in the A division.

Te Ramaapakura finished as the third-highest points scorer in the entire A Division with 108 points.

“I enjoyed playing against high level competition, all the learning and new experiences.”

Rico said of the tournament, “Our fitness really improved. This was a step up.”

Players and whānau have spent months travelling regularly to Tauranga for training and competition, balancing the demands of school, sport and the rising costs of transport, accommodation and equipment.

Families have shared rides and resources to support the players, with the success at the tournament reflecting the commitment both on and off the court.

Fundraising efforts are expected in the coming weeks to help support the players heading to nationals in Christchurch in July.