Narrandera Basketball’s junior Knights representative players are gearing up for this weekend’s third and final round.

With eight teams participating in NSW Basketball’s 2026 Western Junior League, the Knights are hopeful of strong performances to help bolster ladder positions.

The condensed scheduling due to Easter 2026 dates means teams will then have a month to prep for finals’ campaigns in Griffith on 2-3 May.

Most teams experienced mixed results in Rounds 1 on 14-15 February in Griffith and two played across a range of venues including Katoomba, Lithgow, Wallerawang, CSU and Bathurst stadiums on 7-8 March.

The U12 Boys stormed through Round 1 winning 5/5 matches.

However Round 2 was a different proposition with injury and foul trouble allowing a fast-finishing Blue Mountains to take the win in the first.

Game two against the still undefeated Bathurst established a benchmark for the boys to aim, however a strong win in their third match finished the weekend on a positive note.

Playing in a single division, the U12B are currently sitting fourth on a very congested ladder, with three matches to plan for in Round 3.

Wonderful attitudes, teamwork and very close margins summed up the U12 Girls Round 2’s three matches. Although the girls are yet to notch up a win, the improvement from Round 1 to their final Round 2 has been incredible.

Fielding two teams in the 14B competition this year was a great achievement for the association, providing opportunities for development, game time, and growth across the group.

The U14 Blue Boys team playing Division 1 as an undersized side has brought plenty of skill, determination, and heart to the competition.

In Round 1 the Blue side went down in two close contests before securing an impressive win over West Wyalong

Round 2’s demanding scheduling of five games was exacerbated by illness and injuries.

While results didn’t fall their way, the effort and attitude of the Blue group never wavered and the boys continued to support one another, work hard for every contest, and play with pride in every match.

U14 Gold Boys have brought energy, teamwork and plenty of heart to every minute on the court, showing just how much they’ve grown as a team.

Split responsibilities of coach Chris in Round 2, meant assistant coach Jye flew solo with the boys performing admirably under his calm control.

Throughout both rounds, the team has played for each other by supporting, encouraging and competing hard from the first whistle to the last. Their effort, sportsmanship and teamwork has been remarkable.

Closure of Victoria Pass meant the U14 Girls faced challenges before they even reached their Round 2 matches. While not able to replicate their results from Round 1, the U14 Girls are working hard in the lead up to Round 3 to prepare for four more matches in the very tough Division 1 group.

Winning 7/7, the U16 Boys sit alone at the top of the Division 2 ladder.

Their currently undefeated status in a pool of eight puts a target on them for Round 3, where they face their closest ranked opponents.

The U16 Girls have been tested in 2026 but throughout have maintained a cheerful and enthusiastic bunch. Also playing in a single division, the girls are hoping that Round 3 presents an opportunity for them to finish strongly.

Currently the top of ladder side, the U18 Girls have a 7:1 win/loss record which is quite remarkable given 8/10 are bottom age players.

The highlight of Round 2 was a disciplined, and eventually comfortable, win over the highly fancied Dubbo side.

With a few injuries and netball clash unavailability, the girls ran out of gas in their last game against Bathurst. Round 3’s three matches will test them against their closest contenders, including a rematch against Dubbo.

Narrandera’s local Autumn Basketball Competitions for seniors on Monday evenings and juniors on Tuesday and Wednesdays are well underway. Narrandera Basketball recently benefited from a generous Community Bank Narrandera and District grant with a new set of junior comp reversible playing singlets.

The Association is incredibly grateful for this support, which in turn allows Narrandera Basketball to reduce the playing expense to families.