at Maitland if you would like to

volunteer over the weekend on

(02)4934 3503.

Steve Carfino was able to

muscle in on Patty Mills in Syd-

ney last week….there is some

great videos of the event on

our YouTube channel ….have a

look and that and all our

weekly wraps – our marketing

team have been putting to-

gether some great material

there! Here’s our URL to access

our page http://

www.youtube.com/user/

BasketballNSW/videos.

Enjoy this month’s edition of Full

Court Press…hope to see you

at Maitland later this month.

Danny Martinez

CEO BNSW

From the Desk of Danny our

CEO…

What a great month for the

U16 country teams! This month

in Geelong (in what I felt was

subzero temperatures) our U16

Country boys win gold and our

U16 Country girls win bronze!!

A fantastic effort and well

done to all our teams that

were part of the competition.

(Full story on page 3)

It is times like this that I get to

see firsthand all the amazing

efforts of the people behind

the scenes that make it hap-

pen, from the coaches, manag-

eress’, and most of all the tire-

less support of the families that

support the players/teams/

officials. It is at times a thank-

less job, but I would really like

to acknowledge all their support

and efforts. I had some time

with Hannah (the U16 girls man-

ageress) who really went above

and beyond….and to the Mait-

land mum (you know who you

are) who chatted to me and

shared some views with me and

was very supportive of the

whole team. She exhibited the

sort of care and support that

the Country is famous for.

THANKS! BTW please check out

our Facebook page for some

great shots of the U16’s.

The month of August sees us up

in Maitland for the Waratah

Championships…..it’s shaping

up to be a huge long weekend

of great game and entertain-

ment! I saw recently on Face-

book a couple of mums poised

to get the cappuccino machine

working into overtime!! Good on

your ladies! Again there has

been a call out for volunteers

by Maitland – anyone avail-

able to help please contact Amy

Happenings (check out

www.nswbasketball.ne

t.au for more details)

1 State Champions

2 State Champions

3 State Champions

9 State Cup

10 State Cup

16 State Shield

17 State Shield

CEO WRAP 1

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

1

ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHT - MOSS VALE

2

GOLD AND BRONZE FOR NSW COUNTRY AT 2014 U16 AJC

3

MUDGEE KEEP THE DATE 3

WARATAH FINALS WEEK-

END HEADING TO MAIT-

LAND

4

HALL OF FAME—KEEP THE

DATE

4

Q&A WITH JONAH

BOLDEN 5

GUESSED THE

LOCATION 6

Inside this issue:

Issue 19, August 2014

Full Court Press...

Association: Moss Vale

What year was Moss Vale Basketball Association established? 1958 How many registered members do you have? 720 What is your main playing venue? Moss Vale & District Basketball Association Inc. stadium on Parkes Road, Moss Vale How many courts do you use for your competitions? 2 Full size courts with 2 smaller cross courts on each What were the Association's highlight achievements in 2013?

The reformation of our Youth League Men’s team, U/16 boys SJL winners, U/12

boys Country Championship winners

2 boys & 1 coach selected to attend Port Mac Jamboree, 1 player and coach selected to attend Great Murray, 2 girls

selected to participate in Tour, 1 girl to All star camp, 3 coaches 1 manager selected to country tour, 1 camp manager

1 player in inaugural D league

What does Moss Vale BA hope to achieve in the next 2 years? Continued upgrading of our stadium, growth of rep program, more coaches/players involvement in BNSW programs What priority(s) is Moss Vale BA currently focused on? The upgrade of our mezzanine level to open it as a viewing area and for member comfort Grand opening on 13 Sept 2014 to incorporate Guinness World Record attempt for the most people to participate in a

Knockout competition, followed by a pre-season NBL game between the Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks. Ability to host more CDP camps etc Upgrade of our stadium to provide further opportunities MVBA in BNSW comps. What players, volunteers, officials or other participants is Moss Vale BA currently looking to recruit? We are currently looking for more female players in all grades, more interested members to join our sub committees and as always more referees in all levels. Please provide preferred contact details for anyone wanting to join up & play at Moss Vale Basketball Association: Please contact Janene at the stadium from 5pm Monday to Friday

Association Highlight

Page 2

Full Court Press...

Page 3

Gold and Bronze For NSW Country at 2014 U16 AJC Source: Basketball Australia/ The Pick and Roll

The Championship game in the men’s division saw the defending champion NSW Country squad take on an un-defeated VIC Metro squad in what proved to be a thrilling matchup.

Throughout the 1st quarter it was an extremely tight affair, both teams relentlessly attacking the paint. The 2 squads traded buckets with NSW Country taking the early 15-12 lead heading into the first break.

NSW Country then used the next 2 quarters to extend their lead. A run led by Jessy Wilson and Kyle Zunic, who began to heat up from 3-point range, extended the NSW Country lead to a 54-36 lead heading into the 4th quarter – a comeback from VIC Metro seeming improbable. Patrick Bines and Mitchell Barry led an early 4th quarter surge by VIC Metro to cut the lead down to 7 but NSW Country never let it get closer than that, hitting their free throws to seal the game – 82-62 being the final score. Lachlan Dent finished with a game-high 19pts for NSW Country while Kyle Zunic had 18pts & 5rbs. For VIC Metro, Patrick Bines had a team-high 13pts & 8rbs.

A team that wasn’t expected to do big things this week was the NSW Metro men’s squad, but they surprised everyone by very easily advancing all the way to the semifinals. Led by the impressive scoring effort of Dragan Elkaz (16 ppg, 4.8rpg & 1.6apg), they managed to go 5-1 in the group games. Team captain Aaron Waban (10.3ppg, 5.6rpg & 3.6apg) showed off his versatility throughout the week while bench players Kevin Acham-pong and Josh Green were consistently effective all tournament long.

The Country women capped off an impressive tourna-ment capturing the Bronze medal over VIC Metro. The country girls were led impressively by Jasmine Simmons who the tournament stat line of 17.6 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 3 apg, 57% FG, 83% FT – Simmons was dominant all tour-nament, separating herself from the rest of the pack. Her versatility and court awareness was on show all tournament as she seemingly dominated every facet of the game.

The Metro Women had a few very narrow losses and could have very easily found themselves in the semi finals if a few things had gone their way. They still had a great tournament and should be proud of their ef-forts. Elle Carroll was the standout player for the Metro girls averaging 10.29ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.86apg and 43%fg.

Mudgee Basketball Association’s 50th Anniversary

The Mudgee basketball Association will celebrate its 50th Anniversary celebrations

over the weekend of the 13th, 14th & 15th February 2015.

A meet and greet will be held on Friday night followed by a dinner on Saturday

night.

All players and Committee member who were, or are still involved with the

Association since 1965, are invited to attend.

All teams that competed from the first games in 1965 through to 2014 are urged to

contact former team mates and get together for the weekends activities.

Check out the Association’s Face Book page or contact us on 0427220776,

0263736345 or wollbah@bluemaxx.com.au for more information.

Waratah Finals Weekend Heading To Maitland 2014 will see the Waratah Senior League Finals played in a regional area after a very successful finals weekend in 2013 at Sutherland Basketball Association. After receiving excellent tender submissions, we would like to advise that the 2014 Waratah Senior League Finals Weekend will be held at the Maitland Federation Centre.

The weekend sees the conclusion of the season of the Waratah League, with semi-finals on the Saturday and the grand finals on Sunday. The grades include men and women grades of the Championship League, State League and Youth League. Basketball NSW is looking forward to the finals weekend, and we wish all the teams attending the best of luck.

“As General Manager of the Maitland Basketball Association, we are pleased to have been chosen as the host venue of the 2014 Waratah Championship Finals.”

We have a proven history of managing these events in our fantastic Federation Centre, the home of basketball in the Hunter. All of Maitland are behind our senior teams as they fight for a position to compete on their home court in this year’s finals. It’s an exciting time to be a Mustang.” said Amy McGregor on behalf of Maitland.

Basketball NSW CEO Daniel Martinez commented "The Waratah League Senior Finals Weekend is a very important part of our senior basketball calendar. I am excited to once again see the exceptional quality of basketball that is always produced on finals weekend. I hope to see many supporters attend at Maitland on the weekend to watch the amazing talent of our players, and the spectacle of basketball that will be on show”.

The Waratah Finals Weekend will be held 30th August – 31st August, 2014 at the Maitland Federation Centre.

Save the Date—2015 Basketball NSW Hall of Fame

In 2011 Basketball NSW conducted its inaugural and highly successful Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. 2013

saw this success continue combining the induction ceremony with the 75th year anniversary celebration. Basketball NSW is

continuing this tradition with an induction being held in 2015, honouring those who have made outstanding contributions

or have achieved at a high level in basketball in NSW.

It is extremely important that our sport at this time in our history and those in the

future have a sense of the history of basketball in NSW. This history becomes a rich

source of inspiration and passion for all basketball people. The development of an

inner soul for our sport is imperative not only for past recognition but for providing a

guiding light for the future for all in our sport to follow.

The Basketball NSW Hall of Fame is a Biennial event, recognising those who have

contributed to Basketball in NSW.

2015 Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony

When: Friday 13th March, 2015

Where: Albert Palais Function Centre

More details to follow.

Q&A with Jonah Bolden

Former NSW representative Jonah Bolden answered some questions before he departed our shores to begin his college career with the famous UCLA Bruins. Here is what he had to say:

Q: You’d be considered a ‘late bloomer’, only being in 1 state team toward the end of your junior career. What made you decide to focus on basketball as a potential career path?

Jonah: I’ve always looked up to my dad and how he made a life and career out of basketball and how he’s always been my num-ber 1 guidance and inspiration, so a career in basketball has always been in my mind. Late bloomer or not, I always imagined making a life out of the sport.

Q: You grew up in a basketball household, with your dad being in the NBL for 17 years; how do you think that has helped your game?

Jonah: Being with my dad and being in a basketball household, my whole life has definitely shaped me to the way I am and who I am today. It has also most definitely added to my excelled knowledge in the sport, where it can take me, the good and the bad, what to do in certain situations, how to carry yourself as a professional and much more.

Q: What was the deciding factor in moving to the US to play high school basketball? Exposure? Gameplay?

Jonah: Probably just the fact that I felt my style of play would fit the gameplay in America and that I would blossom playing over there. Not only that, but the mindset around the game and about the game is so much different and so much better. Being in an environment where basketball is highly spoken of, thought of and positive surroundings about the sport helps add to the motiva-tion to reach my goals.

Q: You had the opportunity to play at both Findlay Prep and Brewster Academy, 2 of the powerhouse prep schools in the US – how do you think your time at those schools has helped your game?

Jonah: Oh, the time at both schools has increased my game tremendously. It has changed me both on the court and mentally, it has also helped me being able to handle myself as an up and coming collegian athlete, with all the pressures, expectations and whatnot that will come with it. Whereas if I stayed in Australia I would probably not have been aware of any of this, wouldn’t have experienced what I did and matured like I have.

Q: Which other colleges were you strongly considering before eventually signing with UCLA?

Jonah: SMU, Arizona, Michigan, Louisville and Indiana were on the list that I had cut it down to, for the serious colleges that I was thinking of.

Q: What was it about UCLA that drew you to their school and basketball program?

Jonah: The fact that I just grew a great and trustworthy bond with the coaches from day 1 and they helped me through some of my inexperience. They also flew out to Australia to see my family and introduce themselves to the whole family and show there dedication and interest in myself. I also really loved the campus, the feeling I had and it just felt like the most comfortable and right fit.

Q: You have a unique skill-set for your size – the ability to handle the ball and you see the floor extremely well. Can you see your-self developing more of a ‘point forward’ role at UCLA?

Jonah: Well Coach [Alford] has already told me I’m playing the 3 but if it comes down to it, running the point at times would only be fun and add to my versatility, so yes.

Q: Scouts have likened your game to that of Nicolas Batum – a long athlete who can stretch the floor. Who do you try to model your game after? Have you tried to emulate any certain player’s skill-set?

Jonah: I mean Nicolas Batum is good, don’t get me wrong, I like his style of play. But I like to emulate my game after Kevin Durant as I can relate to his style of play, body build, skill set and want to be where he’s at in the coming years.

Q: What do you think is your weakness right now? Something you’d want to focus on improving during your time at UCLA.

Jonah: Definitely physical strength. But other than that: ball handling, 1 on 1 offensively & defensively, coming off screens, reaction plays etc.

Q: You have an NBA body and an extremely high ceiling – how long do you think you’d be ready to make the jump to the pros?

Jonah: 24 months.

Unit 27, 11-21 Underwood Road

Homebush NSW 2140

Postal Address:

PO Box 198

Sydney Markets NSW 2129

Phone: 02 8765 8555

Fax: 02 8765 8588

Email for newsletter:

news@nswbasketball.net.au

Check out our website

www.nswbasketball.net.au

www.facebook.com/BasketballNSW

Do you have stories, articles, photo’s and like

to add a voice to Full Court Press?? Your

contributions are always welcomed!!

GUESSED THE LOCATION!

Thank you to everyone who participated in last month’s guess the location we

were inundated with many responses correct (and not so correct ones) but the

first in was Matt Nicholson!!!!

Congratulations to Matt for your correct answer in the guessing competition for

the Full Court Press July edition and managing to get your correct entry in within

mere hours of the newsletter being released!!

Matt please contact Daniel Laus at Basketball NSW to organise your prize to be

sent to you.

And for those still wondering

the name of the location

was Ewa Beach Park in

Ewa Beach Hawaii.

Looking for another obscure

basketball location so

please if you have some-

thing send it over to us at

news@nswbasketball.net.au

Thanks again to Alex who

contributed this shot!

Fundraise for your Association at...