Tasmania's Hannah Rifat moves the ball down the court in yesterday's clash against New South Wales. Picture: PHILLIP BIGGS
VICTORIA provided all the highlights on the opening day of the 2013 Australian under-20 and Ivor Burge Basketball Championships at Launceston's Elphin Sports Centre with all six of its teams posting large victories.
In an impressive display of its depth and strength, five of the Big V teams exceeded the magical 100-point milestone and all six teams more than doubled the score of their opponents.
In the Australian under-20 championships, Victoria established itself as an early favourite in both the men's and women's divisions.
Its men's side carried out a clinically precise annihilation of Queensland, taking a 123-49 victory without needing to get out of second gear for much of the game, while its women's side was equally imposing in crushing New Zealand, 104-35.
Tasmania's under-20 women's side showed plenty of tenacity in its clash with New South Wales before going down 67-43.
The side missed the drive of star guard and Australian Gems squad member Grace Lennox, who was a late withdrawal from the championship with an ankle injury.
In the Ivor Burge competition for players with an intellectual disability, the Victoria Metro women's team led the charge with a 111-14 demolition of South Australia while their male counterparts posted a 111-43 victory over the ACT.
Victoria Country was impressive with its men defeating Western Australia, 110-43, while its women's side defeated Tasmania, 67-29.
Tasmania is fielding a women's team in the Ivor Burge Championship for the first time since 2004 and although going down to Victoria Country 67-29, the side showed enough to suggest it will be competitive as the week unfolds.
Although failing to pick up a win, Tasmania's teams lost few friends in their efforts to stay in touch.
The Tasmanian side can take comfort in being the only side on the day, to restrict a Victorian team to fewer than 100 points.
In the Ivor Burge men's competition, Tasmania took on South Australia and again, showed plenty of promise despite going down 78-97.
The championships are being held at Launceston's Elphin Sports Centre and will run throughout the week with the finals on Saturday.