Hastings & Jones headed to Australian Team Camp at the AIS Centre of Excellence

We would like to congratulate Southern Peninsula athletes, Corey Hastings & Darcy Jones, on their selection to the Basketball Australia U17 & U19 Men’s National Squad camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in March.

Both Hastings & Jones have been identified by national coaches to take part in this camp which forms part of the selection process for the national teams leading into the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup and FIBA World Cup.

As part of the three day camps, both will be flown out to and live at the Australian Institute of Sport. During the camp there will be a number of on court sessions and education programs for athletes involved.

This is the first time Southern Peninsula have seen a male athlete reach this prestigious level, let alone two in the one year!

Corey will take part in the the Under 17 Men (athletes born 2005 and 2006) and will be the first to come together, meeting at the COE 8-10 March to start their journey towards the FIBA Asia Under 17 Cup, to be held in Kuwait, 12-19 June. Former Basketball Victoria High Performance Head Coach and Melbourne United NBL championship assistant coach Justin Schueller will be at the helm of the team for the 2022 campaign.

Southern Peninsula High Performance Pathways Coach, Adrian Newall commented on the announcement saying “I have only just begun at Southern Peninsula and have been impressed by the standard of play I have witnessed thus far.”

Discussing the athletes, Newall said “I have been particularly impressed with what I have seen from Corey Hastings, most recently at Bendigo where he demonstrated poise beyond his years and an offensive skill-set rarely seen in an athlete Corey’s age. He has a tremendous perimeter game, which is complemented by the ability to pull up off the dribble to his right or left and the ability to finish at the basket also.”

“Having participated at National junior camps as both an athlete and coach I wish Corey nothing but the best as he embarks on his own journey and trust he will represent himself, his family and Southern Peninsula with the traits and values expected of National team athletes.”

Darcy will join Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence head coach Robbie McKinlay will lead the Under 19 Men as the Emus come together for the first time for the March 18 camp in the lead up to the FIBA Oceania Championships.

On Darcy Jones’ selection, Adrian added “I have been fortunate enough to have the absolute pleasure of working with Darcy Jones since beginning at Southern Peninsula. Darcy has great size and length for a wing and possesses the potential to have a long and productive professional career. Darcy has a tremendous perimeter game with a nice soft touch on his shot. He is equally adept in catch and shoot situations as he is pulling up off the dribble and with his length and size presents a formidable opponent on the defensive end.”

“Darcy is a committed, hard-working athlete looking to maximise his potential and I expect those characteristics together with his elite skill-set will enable him to give a great account of himself at the upcoming U/19 National Camp. I look forward to seeing him perform at that level and wish him nothing but every success as he continues his basketball journey.”

All of Southern Peninsula Basketball Association wishes Corey & Darcy the best of luck at their upcoming camps!