Basketball and friendship: Talented Shepparton teens share tight bond

And that is whenever Whitelaw runs up and down the court, Onley is there beside her every step of the way.

That will continue next month when the pair runs out for Vic Country in the upcoming Country-Metro Challenge, which has temporarily replaced the Southern Cross Challenge in 2022, due to state border closures.

“In mid-January we go to the tournament and it runs for three or four days,” Onley said.

“We play against Metro and a team that’s made up of country and metro players.”

The Shepparton duo, both aged 16, have been teammates and friends for the entirety of their brief — but successful — basketball careers.

“We have played together since Grade 1 when we played domestically, way before we started out in Gators,” Onley said.

“And we have played for Gators every single year since we started in the under-12s.”

The accolades have accumulated over the journey for the talented pair.

Onley’s appearance for Australia in a tour of New Zealand, Whitelaw’s medal triumph for Victoria Country at under-16 level and their appearances at the Australian Junior Country Basketball Cup in 2020 are just a handful of a long list of achievements.

All of those minutes out on the floor at regional tournaments across Victoria and at state representative trainings have paid off.

“It’s become so easy and fun to play together,” Whitelaw said.

“We just know where each other is on the court without looking. Like if I’m stuck with the ball, I know that I can look for Han. She always helps me if I’m struggling and I always help her out.”

When the two teenagers are not finishing off each other’s sentences, they are busy jostling for rebounds, dishing off dimes and scoring for fun.

“We actually play in very similar positions,” Whitelaw said with a laugh.

“In Gators we usually play a five (centre) and four (power forward). I normally play five and then Han will be four or vice versa.”

Onley and Whitelaw recently enjoyed success for their home club at the Shepparton Junior Tournament.

Members of the navy-blue-and-white’s under-18 girls contingent, Onley and Whitelaw helped the Gators win the grand final 42 to 28 over Wodonga.

After months spent locked out of stadiums due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the return to the court was an odd but welcome experience.

“It was obviously pretty difficult (not playing due to COVID-19) because what you love to do is be out there and play with your teammates,” Onley said.

“It was so good to start playing in tournaments again, especially here at home in Shepp.

“At the start it was difficult and we were a bit rusty and you wondered ‘will I ever get back to how it used to be?’ but by the grand final it felt normal again, which was good.”

Despite their entrenched ties on the court, Onley and Whitelaw have become accustomed to not relying on each other week-in and week-out.

Whitelaw plays with Hawthorn Magic in the under-18s, while Onley is keeping her netball pathway open with North-East Blaze.

But before she decides which sport to go chips all-in on, Onley has her sights on playing at the Australian Junior Championships later this year.

“I’ve always wanted to; when I was top-age 16s I made the state team but I didn’t get to compete because of the pandemic,” she said.

“I feel like ever since then I’ve looked at that as my next goal (in basketball). I want to have that national championships experience.”

Her partner in crime has the same ambitions for the 2022.

“My goal is to make the Vic Country team and head to nationals,” Whitelaw said.

“I’m going to the centre of excellence in late January for the Aus Camp.

“They told us a few months ago that we were picked for it; we go up in January and have a four-day camp. I’m not sure how many are picked but I know a few of the metro and country girls who are going so it should be really fun.”