Lochie and Jess are both looking forward to representing Victoria Navy at the Basketball Australia Under-20 National Championships, which begin next Tuesday, January 30.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association duo Jess Freeman and Lochie Harvey will represent Victoria Navy at the Basketball Australia Under-20 National Championships, which begin next Tuesday, January 30.
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The national championships will be Jess’s first time in the state colours whilst Lochie played at the Under 18s titles in 2023.
Both Lochie and Jess have been members of the Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association since they were 8 years old, starting their basketball journey playing in the Under 10 junior domestic competition before naturally progressing into playing for representative teams from U12 onward.
Current YMBA Aussie Hoops co-ordinator and board member Amanda Wheaton said YMBA is extremely proud of Jess and Lochie’s selection which just adds to a long list of achievements.
“They were both integral team members in our rep teams from Under 12 – Under 16, both playing key roles in their respective teams,” Amanda said.
“They both have also been selected in many Basketball Victoria Country development programs starting from Under 14’s onwards – Jamboree, Academy and State Development Programs for Victoria Country.
“They transferred to Wodonga Wolves for their U18 representative playing years and enjoyed success and development with Wodonga over the past few years.
Lochie Harvey pictured with his mum Tania, represented Victoria in the Basketball Australia Under-18 National Championships last year and will once again pull on the Big V jumper in the Under 20s.
“With Yarrawonga their home club, they have both always found time over the years to put back into the club that holds a special place in their basketball journey. Always volunteering to referee, coach junior domestic teams, coach and train junior representative teams and also assist with coaching our Aussie Hoops Program.
“The younger athletes certainly look up to, respect and admire Jess and Lochie and they have certainly made an impact on the lives of many young basketballers in our club.
“Their hard work, training ethic, persistence and dedication to their sport has certainly paid off and our Association is very proud of their state selection and wish them all the very best in the upcoming championships.”
Both Lochie and Jess have had great success so far in their basketball careers, being selected in state championships whilst also playing in Yarrawonga.
Lochie:
2021 –Winners Under 16 Boys Division 5 Victoria Country State Championships playing for Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association.
2023 –Winners of Under 18 Boys Division 1 Victoria Country State Championships playing for Wodonga Wolves.
2023 –Runner Up Under 18 Australian Championships playing for Victoria Country.
Selections:
Representative VJBL for North East Bushrangers over the past 5 years.
2023 – Under 18 Victoria Country Boys Team.
2024 - AUSA American 2024 Tour group to travel the US in July exposing each athlete in AAU tournament play to thousands of US college Coaches.
2024 – Under 20 Boys Victoria Navy Team.
Jess:
2022 - Winners U18 Girls Division 3 Victoria Country State Championships playing for Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association.
Selections:
Representative VJBL for North East Bushrangers over the past 5 years
2024 U20 Girls Victoria Navy Team.
Senior domestic co-ordinator, board member and father Brett Harvey said he has had the pleasure of being able to work individually with these two athletes for a number of years now and is proud of them both on and off the court.
“Both as a coach and a parent I couldn’t be more proud of both of these kids in how they conduct themselves on and off the floor,” Brett said.
“Both Jess and Lochie are incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent their state, they are both very humble people by nature and recognise the significance of the selection.
“Nevertheless, they both continue to give back to our local program by coaching teams, running clinics and running PT sessions to inspire the next crop of young Yarrawonga/Mulwala Lakers.
“Again as a parent in our community, these qualities we aspire to teach in team sport should be recognised, congratulated and embraced.”
