By JARROD POTTER
EARNING his first state jersey was an unexpected honour for up-and-coming basketballer Jonathan Fennell.
Fennell, 11, from Lynbrook, has been at the peak of junior basketball through his time at the Dandenong Rangers – especially in 2014 as his side won a National Junior Classic and a VC grand final.
But Fennell is about to discover what he’s truly capable of at the next level as he represents School Sport Victoria (SSV) at the upcoming under-12 basketball championships in South Australia.
“I was shocked and very happy,” Fennell said.
“They all had talent there and I knew I was a top 25, but I didn’t know I was a top 10.
“It’s my first time making the team and I’d like to win the gold medal.”
Given the tough defensive tasks for his Rangers’ rep team, Fennell is a versatile swing-man capable of playing a number of spots on court and relishes every chance to get on court and play.
“I think I’ve been playing for about six years and I just love the game,” Fennell said. “It’s fun.”
This season hasn’t been as easy for Fennell’s Rangers, with a couple of bad beats at the bigger tournaments so far – with a middle of the pack finish at the National Junior Classic and a similar placing in the Australia Day tournament.
“We didn’t do that well in the Classic – we came ninth – and in the Australia Day tournament I think we beat every other team except Melbourne, so we came about fifth in that tournament,” Fennell said.
The Lynbrook Primary School student is keeping his basketball dreams simplistic for the moment – hoping to notch state team chances year in, year out as he progresses through the ranks.
He wanted to thank his under-12 coach Brad Crole and first rep coach Brody for their support.
Fennell and his SSV side will head to the Australia Pacific School Games Basketball Championships in Adelaide from 21-28 November.
