Tasmania got off to a mixed start on the opening day of the under-18 national basketball championships in Townsville.
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Both facing South Australian-based sides, the boys came away nine point victors in a 77-68 win over South Australia Country with the girls falling short in their 77-72 loss to Metro.
Basketball Tasmania head coach and coach of the men at the tournament, Mark Radford spoke highly of both teams.
"Our goal for both teams is to overachieve and exceed expectations," he said.
"Ultimately, they are different for both sides but we aim to be highly competitive through the carnival.
"The girls have been together for a long time now. The group of eight have been together for four years at national carnivals which holds them in good stead."
The close-knit girls team includes four Launceston Tornadoes players who recently made their NBL1 debuts.
Aishah Anis, Makala Bingley, Jessica Johnston and Micah Simpson join fellow Northern player Lauren Wise within the line-up, who improved during their match with a strong second-half performance.
The boys team however feature four new faces to national competition, including Launceston's Jordan Mayes and Tom Foster.
Radford said it shows the accessibility of basketball within Tasmania.
"The boys are relatively new with four players who haven't played nationals before and it's a great opportunity.
"It shows you can come into basketball at any age and if you work hard and play well, there is opportunity."
Angus Kitson, Jackson Lowe, Sejr Deans and Jai Lette are the other Northern representatives.