The Deni Junior Giants made a powerful return to tournament basketball at the weekend, with Under 12 boys and girls both advancing to their respective grand finals.
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The boys had a convincing 39-8 grand final victory, while the girls were unable to match a strong opponent in the decider.
After their last tournament outing in November 2025, the club’s youngest representatives showed no signs of rust, producing dominant performances, thrilling finishes, and a display of teamwork that has the future of the Giants looking bright.
The Under 12 boys delivered a flawless campaign, storming through the tournament undefeated before claiming a commanding grand final victory over Ballarat District United Lightning.
From the opening game against Maryborough Blazers, the boys set the tone. Playing unselfish, high-pressure basketball, they overwhelmed the hosts 55–8. Levi Robson led the charge with 16 points.
Strong defensive communication and relentless ball movement ensured every player contributed.
Game two against Terang Tornadoes saw a brief slow start before the Giants found their rhythm. By half-time, they had built a 33–8 lead on the way to a 63–17 win.
The momentum continued in game three, where the Giants dismantled Bendigo Braves 79–6. A staggering 47–0 half-time lead highlighted their defensive intensity.
In the grand final, the coach’s message was simple — start strong and set the tone. The boys responded immediately, racing to an 11–0 lead with suffocating defence.
Despite a brief Lightning resurgence, the Giants regrouped, extended their advantage, and closed out a composed 39–8 victory to secure the title.
Levi Robson was named Grand Final MVP and Player of the Tournament after an exceptional weekend. His relentless drives to the basket, defensive pressure, and leadership set the benchmark in every match, consistently lifting those around him.
The Under 12 girls also enjoyed a remarkable tournament, reaching their first grand final together and showcasing resilience, growth, and genuine team spirit.
Their opening match saw a 20–5 loss to BDU Lightning, with early nerves evident after the long break.
However, the response was emphatic. In game two, the Giants produced a dominant 31–0 win over Bendigo Braves, with all seven players scoring — a testament to their team-first approach.
Maggie Burge stood out, creating strong set plays and leading in both offence and defence.
The girls edged Border Sports 11–7 in a gritty contest, with Ava Raper stepping up offensively, while Mia Fitzpatrick and Indie Bulmer applied relentless defensive pressure despite both fouling out.
A thrilling 18–16 win over Seymour Blasters secured their grand final berth. Leah White led the scoring with strong drives to the basket, while Evie Hunter played a pivotal role with disciplined man-on-man defence and key assists.
In the grand final, the Giants faced a polished Division 1 Terang outfit and fell 39–4. Despite the scoreboard, the effort never wavered.
Remy Tremble battled foul trouble early but remained composed, while the team continued to fight for every possession until the final buzzer.
Indie Bulmer was awarded the Girls Tournament Award after a standout weekend.
The Under 14 boys also enjoyed a highly successful campaign, playing strong, disciplined basketball across the weekend and finishing undefeated — only to miss a grand final berth by percentage in a heartbreaking conclusion.
Round one against Ararat Redbacks began with a slow start, trailing at half-time, but the Giants stormed home for a thrilling 27–24 comeback win.
The second match against Warrnambool Border Sports Academy showcased a complete team performance. Executing their set plays with precision, the boys controlled the contest from start to finish, with a 42–19 victory.
Bright and early Sunday, the Giants faced BDU Lightning and maintained their momentum for a 49–31 win.
Heading into round four against Bendigo Braves, a grand final berth was within reach. The coaches praised the boys’ intensity as they delivered their most dominant performance of the weekend with a resounding 82–26 victory.
Four games, four wins, and an abundance of heart, hustle, and teamwork defined the Under 14 boys’ tournament. Although percentage denied them a place in the decider, their effort, sportsmanship, and coachability were outstanding throughout.
Jimmy O’Connor was named Tournament Award recipient after a consistently strong weekend. A quiet achiever, his defensive strength, rebounding, and reliable scoring proved invaluable in every match.
Both Under 16 teams experienced mixed results but showed strong development and competitiveness throughout the tournament.
The boys opened strongly with a 53–28 win over Ararat.
A thrilling second game against Warrnambool saw the Giants grind out a 37–34 victory in a tense finish.
Their final match against Seymour was a nail-biter, eventually going down 31–27.
The Tournament Award went to Angus Knuckey.
The girls opened their tournament with a heartbreaking 25–24 loss to BDU Lightning in a game that went down to the final possession.
They responded with a convincing 27–11 win over Warrnambool.
In arguably their best performance of the weekend, the girls pushed top side Terang before falling 32–26 in a high-quality contest.
The tournament concluded on a high with a 26–21 win over BDU Lightning, showcasing the girls’ growth and ability to execute under pressure.
Maddy Woolston was awarded the Tournament Award for her relentless determination and consistent impact across the weekend.
The Under 18 boys and girls, along with the development squads, were unable to register wins over the weekend but showed commendable effort and a never-give-up attitude in every contest.
Tournament Awards were presented to Stuart Benger (U18 Boys), Bae Willis (U18 Girls), while Development Team recipients included Jaxon Beames (U14 Boys Dev), Laila White (U14 Girls Dev), and Jack Preist (U12 Boys Dev).
With little time to rest, the Giants now turn their focus to the Benalla tournament this weekend, the final outing of the season for the Under 16 and Under 18 teams.