BASKETBALL
Traralgon’s Emirson Devenie and Christian D’Angelo have a few things in common, but the most exciting parallel of all will be drawn next week when the teens travel to the Sunshine Coast to represent Victoria Country at the Under 16 Australian Basketball Championships.
Emirson and Christian are proud products of the Traralgon Amateur Basketball Association and are champing at the bit to fly the flag for the Latrobe Valley on the biggest stage in junior representative basketball.
“I’m pretty excited and I just can’t wait to get started,” Christian said.
The 14-year-old’s maiden selection in the Vic Country side is the culmination of years of hard work and the national championships have been on his radar for as long as he can recall.
“I’ve been doing extra training by myself to get better seeing as though I didn’t make it last year I’ve kind of tried to get better and I think it’s paid off,” he said.
Mum Andria said Christian – a point guard – had focused on diversifying his game of late.
“He has worked really hard on all aspects of his game to get where he is,” she said.
“There are only 10 kids in country Victoria that get this opportunity and he has earned it.”
Christian also plays for Latrobe City Energy in the Victorian Junior Basketball League and the Big V Youth League.
“He pretty much – with training and his own personal shooting – plays or trains every day,” Andria said.
“I’m just really excited for him. I can’t wait to watch him and see how he goes.”
Both Christian and Emirson have had to overcome ankle injuries this year but the duo have returned to full fitness at just the right time.
For Emirson, a debut for Vic Country last year has heightened her hunger for championship glory.
“As soon as I get on the court I want to show it’s worth me being there,” the 15-year-old said.
“After not getting much court time last year I’ve made sure I’ve worked on things that I didn’t get on for and improved on things I need to get better at.”
Mum Eboney was blown away by Emirson’s conduct at the championships last year and said her second stint, this time as a top-age player, was just reward.
“I was so proud of Emi last year with how she handled herself off court,” Eboney said.
“She didn’t get a lot of court time but she sat on the bench and was yelling and screaming and encouraging and she had lost her voice by the end of it.
“She has gained a lot of knowledge and experience from just being there and being part of the team.”
The shooting guard, like Christian, plays for Energy in the VJBL and also pulls on the orange for the division one women’s Big V side.
For Eboney and Andria, the prospect of having a fellow Traralgonite in the stands for next week’s championships was a huge comfort.
“We’ll be watching all of Emi’s games and we’ll be up there cheering for both of them together – it’s just so good to have someone else there from your area,” Andria said.
“It’s very stressful to watch, they’ve worked so hard to get there and you just want the world for them.”
