More than 1000 young basketballers are taking to Tasmanian courts this weekend with Launceston leading the way.
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Regional high school tournaments were held simultaneously around the state with 52 teams taking part in the Northern titles while 45 competed in Kingston and 38 in Devonport.
Basketball Tasmania referee administrator David Bowen said the Northern tournament had proved particularly popular with Elphin Sports Centre and St Patrick's College hosting games for grades 7-10 and St Pats leading the way with a total of 15 teams.
"These tournaments are extremely important," Bowen said. "They capture a player base that is not in our mainstream competitions.
"A lot of kids are playing this weekend that don't play anywhere else so we cater for a wider basketball community and not just the elite competitions."
The action went on for nearly 11 hours on Saturday with games continuing until 7pm.
Sunday's play runs from 8.30am to 4pm with grand finals from 12 to 3pm on the main show courts at Elphin.
These tournaments are extremely important. They capture a player base that is not in our mainstream competitions.
- Basketball Tasmania's David Bowen
The top three teams in division one of each competition will qualify for the state championships which are also to be held in Launceston on November 23-24.
Scotch Oakburn made a good start in the 9-10 division one girls' with wins over Riverside and Kings Meadows.
The boys' competition witnessed some high-scoring affairs with national junior rep Sejr Deans claiming 22 points in an 80-38 win for Riverside over Queechy and Hamish Auton amassing 23 in Scotch Oakburn's 71-43 win while St Pats Green also recorded some early wins.