By JARROD POTTER
GOLDEN goals were reached for Jono Fennell and his Victorian schoolboys team mates as the basketball side claimed a national championship.
Fennell, 12, from Lynbrook, played an important part in Victoria’s under-12 basketball team at the Pacific School Games last month in Adelaide.
“It was really good – we didn’t lose a game and we beat every team by about 40 points,” Fennell said.
“We played India and beat them by 120 points – there were other teams there like China or Macau and all of the states in Australia, except Tasmania.
“The experience was really cool – it was just awesome and I loved it.”
The versatile swing-man made the most of his selection as he featured prominently in Victoria’s rampaging run to the grand final – winning most games by over 40 points.
“We didn’t really have a starting five, I started sometimes though,” he said.
“Played the three-man, sometimes four man and as a shooting guard basically.”
The Lynbrook Primary School student got to drape a gold medal around his neck after TeamVic survived a late comeback from New South Wales in the finale to run out victors.
“In the grand final we won by 13 points against New South Wales,” Fennell said. “We started off really well – we were smashing them by about 20 or more points then at half time they came back – brought it back to about 10 points.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking as they didn’t miss a shot – so they brought it back really close and we won.”
It capped off a stellar tournament for Fennell – who also relished making a four-point play against New South Wales in an earlier round robin clash at the tournament.
For now it’s back to the VJBL for the Dandenong Rangers up-and-coming star with his under-13 side.
