Sport
10 April, 2026
Junior basketballers focused on Queensland champs
TWO young Port Douglas athletes are now in their final preparations for the upcoming Queensland state basketball championships at Logan from 9-11 April.
Prodigies Billy Meager and Koen Agrums were selected for the Cairns Marlins (division 1) squad in October where they’ve been training endlessly as they prepare to face some of the nation’s best young basketball prospects.
The season started for the pair in early October when they were selected and given the honour to compete at a division 1 level.
For Billy this is nothing new, being a division 1 athlete for the previous four seasons, but for Koen this was his first division 1 selection.
The pair have worked and competed hard in the north Queensland circuit, playing teams from Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton.
After the 12 game north Queensland competitions, the young athletes now focus their attention on the big dance at state championships in south-east Queensland.
The hard yards being done by both players have definitely not gone unnoticed, with Marlins assistant coach Gausa Arnold saying the improvement from both players has been “admirable and nothing short of amazing.”
Both players have competed at representative level before so they’re already preparing themselves both physically and mentally for the four days of basketball ahead.
When asked what the boys are looking most forward to, Billy said: “Being able to compete, I’m super competitive so I love being able to compete with likeminded athletes.”
Koen said: “I’m excited to see the level of the players and teams around Queensland.”
The young prodigies will play six games in a round Robin style in the pool stages, to which they’ll then play off in a further two games if they’re eligible for a medal.
If eliminated from medal contention, they’ll play their final game in a placing match which will determine their final position on the ladder at the closing of the competition.
