The 2026 John Martin Country (JMC) and Nunawading Tournaments provided a fitting conclusion to another fantastic Blue Mountains Magic representative season for most of our teams, with players, coaches and officials showcasing the skill, determination and spirit that have defined the program throughout the year.
Across the weekend, our teams competed fiercely, supported one another and represented the Blue Mountains with pride both on and off the court.
U12 Boys Reach the Final Four
The U12 Boys continued their impressive season form, progressing through the group stage undefeated before recording a comfortable Quarter Final victory over Canberra.
Their tournament run eventually came to an end in a hard-fought Semi Final against the eventual champions, the Tumut Timberwolves. While disappointed to fall one game short of the Grand Final, the boys can be immensely proud of a tournament that highlighted their growth and development throughout the season.
U12 Girls Continue Their Development
The U12 Girls competed strongly throughout the weekend, finishing third in their group.
The team displayed resilience and determination in every game while gaining valuable experience against quality opposition. Their commitment and willingness to compete were evident throughout the tournament and will provide a strong foundation for future success.
U14 Girls Rise to the Challenge in Melbourne
The girls travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Nunawading Tournament, testing themselves against some of Australia’s strongest junior basketball programs. Facing quality opposition from Victoria and NSW, the girls displayed tremendous resilience, toughness and determination throughout the weekend, never backing down from the challenge.
While the results didn’t always fall their way, the experience provided invaluable development opportunities against elite competition. The team represented the Blue Mountains with pride and sportsmanship, gaining confidence, strengthening friendships and creating memories that will benefit them both on and off the court for years to come.
U14 Boys Navy Build Momentum for the Road Ahead
The U14 Boys Navy squad used JMC as an excellent preparation for the remainder of their representative campaign, finishing second in their group.
Two of their matches were decided by just a single point, demonstrating the team’s composure and ability to compete in high-pressure situations. Their tournament concluded with a Quarter Final loss to Canberra, but there were plenty of positives to take away.
With the South West Classic in Wagga Wagga in July and the State Cup in Orange in August still to come, the group will be looking to build on the lessons learned at JMC as they continue their season.
U14 Boys Grey Focus on Growth
While the results did not fall their way, the U14 Boys Grey squad embraced the challenge of competing against strong opposition throughout the tournament.
Development remains a key focus for this group, and the experience gained over the weekend will undoubtedly contribute to their continued growth as players and teammates. Their attitude and willingness to compete against quality opposition were a credit to the team.
U16 Boys Produce One of the Stories of the Tournament
The U16 Boys delivered one of the most exciting campaigns of the weekend. The team finished second in their group, highlighted by an incredible 20-point comeback against Central Coast and a thrilling one-point victory over Newcastle.
Their only defeat came in heartbreaking fashion, a one-point loss to an undefeated Moss Vale meaning they were desperately unlucky to miss out on a finals berth.
Their resilience, belief and ability to respond under pressure made them one of the standout stories of the tournament.
U18 Girls Finish Strong
The U18 Girls opened their tournament in style with a dominant victory over Central Coast and continued to compete strongly throughout the weekend.
Several close contests highlighted the team’s growth and competitiveness, with the girls ultimately securing a strong fifth-place finish in their division. Their efforts throughout the weekend reflected the development and commitment they have shown all season.
Recognition for Our Referees
Blue Mountains Basketball was also proudly represented by our officials throughout the weekend.
Corey Honey, Brendan Martin and Henry Sutton travelled with the association and officiated games across the tournament, continuing the important role our referees play in representing the Blue Mountains on the broader basketball stage.
A special congratulations goes to Leo Dankwerts, who was selected to officiate the U12 Girls Division 2 Grand Final. Grand Final appointments are awarded to officials who consistently demonstrate strong performance, professionalism and game management throughout a tournament, making this a significant achievement and recognition of Leo’s continued development.
Thank You for a Fantastic Season
These tournaments mark the end of the representative season for most of our teams, they also provides an opportunity to reflect on what has been another successful year for Blue Mountains Magic. For our U14 Boys Navy, attention now turns to the South West Classic in Wagga Wagga and the State Cup in Orange as they continue their campaign.
To our players, coaches, team managers, referees, volunteers, families and supporters—thank you. Your commitment, passion and countless hours of work make representative basketball possible and help create opportunities for young athletes across our community.
The results achieved this weekend were important, but even more significant was the growth shown by our players, the relationships built across teams and the pride with which every Magic representative wore the jersey.
Congratulations to everyone involved on a fantastic season so far. We look forward to supporting the U14 Boys Navy through their remaining tournaments and building on these achievements in 2027.
#MountainStrong 💙🏀
