Sport
22 June, 2026
Basketball’s future in proficient hands
CAIRNS Basketball’s under-12 representative teams produced a series of encouraging performances at the latest North Queensland Junior Basketball Competition (NQJBC) round, showcasing the depth of emerging talent across both the boys’ and girls’ programs.
Leading the way on the boys’ side were the Stingers and Sharks, who both completed unbeaten weekends.
The Stingers finished with a perfect 4-0 record in division 2, while the Sharks matched that effort in division 3 with four wins from four games.
The Marlins also impressed in the top-tier division 1 competition, winning three of their four matches to finish the round with a strong 3-1 record.
Their performances demonstrated the team’s skill, determination and ability to compete against some of the region’s best young players.
On the girls’ side, the Dolphins battled hard throughout the division 1 competition, finishing the weekend with a 1-3 record against quality opposition.
The Corals recorded a balanced 2-2 record in division 2, showing significant improvement and resilience across the tournament.
Despite facing some tough matchups, the Pearls continued to gain valuable experience in division 3, finishing with an 0-4 record. While the results did not fall their way, the team displayed determination and a willingness to compete in every contest.
The overall results reflected the continued growth of Cairns Basketball’s junior pathways program, with several teams demonstrating strong development and promising potential for the future.
A Cairns Basketball representative praised the efforts of all players involved throughout the weekend.
“We are super proud of the juniors’ efforts on the weekend. The future of Cairns Basketball is looking very bright,” the representative said.
Attention now turns to the next NQJBC round, which will be held in Mackay from 24-26 July.
With several strong performances already under their belts this season, Cairns’ young stars will be looking to build on their momentum.
Editor’s note: Jake Black is Cairns Basketball’s community engagement and junior development officer.
