Tatachilla Lutheran College has taken out the state championship title for open boys’ basketball in division 2, taking home the School Sport SA shield for this division and proving that the college can hold its own among the state’s most competitive basketballers.

For the first time in college history, the boys can now nominate to compete at the division 1 level, where they are already considered to be hot contenders by School Sport SA officials.

The open boys’ basketball team comprised players from Years 9-12 who had previously never played together, but who united with fierce determination to compete at last month’s state grand final in Wayville.

The boys won against Gleeson College by 12 points. 

They played five schools to make it to the deciding game, meeting Victor Harbor High School, Bordertown High School, Unity College, Gleeson College and Cedar College along the way.

Co-coaches Tom Harms and Amy Croser said that the boys trained twice a week for six weeks in the lead-up to the early knockout round, taking every opportunity to squeeze in extra practice during lunchtimes and recess breaks.

“The boys’ commitment to the game and willingness to come together as a team was fantastic,” said co-coach and Tatachilla Flourish Leader, Tom Harms.

“Our Year 12 players were great mentors to our younger players and showed the kind of leadership that a winning team is built on.

“Our team captain, Year 12 student Lachlan Dennis, was not only an aggressive centre but also one of our most consistent players throughout the competition and the team is grateful for his example.

“The win is especially gratifying for us because – unlike some of our competitors – the college does not yet have a formal basketball program, though we have shown that we have the talent and work ethic to play at an advanced level.

According to spectators, Tatachilla was ‘on fire’ in the grand final match, with Year 10 student Hudson Croser delivering several three-point goals early in the game to secure a convincing lead. 

Highest scorers on the day included Hudson Croser and his fellow team-mates Lachlan Dennis (Year 12), Frank Maung (Year 10) and Hudson Boal (Year 9). Tatachilla’s best defensive players during the dynamic final game included Jack Broadstock (Year 11) and Patrick McDonald (Year 11).

Captain Lachlan Dennis said of the experience, “I was really proud of the way that the team pulled together on grand final day, especially as we’d never played together as a team previously.

“Each member of our team was crucial to our success, even those who had limited court time, because in basketball, ever minute counts. 

“It’s not over until it’s over.

“In the last ten seconds of the game, Frank [Maung] delivered a layup [two-point shot made from below the basket] and at that point we all knew we’d clinched it.

“It was a great moment.”

Eight of the college’s11-person open boys’ basketball team are currently enrolled in – or have just graduated from – Tatachilla’s Advanced Athlete Development Program (AADP), which has supported them to grow as high-functioning athletes. 

The AADP equips eligible students at Tatachilla with crucial skills in physical conditioning, mental preparation, nutrition, leadership, time management, adaptability, rehabilitation, sportsmanship and sports psychology. Importantly, it gives emerging athletes the opportunity to apply their newly honed skills to their athletic discipline of choice and learn from international sporting experts.

Captain Lachlan Dennis said that being a part of the Advanced Athlete Development Program had greatly helped him address his weaknesses as a high-performing athlete on the basketball court.

“The AADP has been a terrific experience for me because the program was so personalised and I got the support I needed to pursue my sport of passion and address my unique goals,” said Lachlan.

“I just wouldn’t have got that kind of tailored support otherwise, even from basketball training itself, which is more generic in nature.”

Looking forward, the boys are keen to defend their title in 2025 at the division 1 level. Five senior members of the team will graduate from the college in November this year, creating space for new talent to join the team.

The competitive spirit of the existing players remains at an all-time high, with both Hudson Croser (Year 10) and Hudson Boal (Year 9) recently returning from the Foot Locker U16 National Championships in Bendigo (Basketball Australia).

“Now that our open boys’ team has a title to defend, our up-and-coming basketballers at the college will be hungry to be a part of college history and maintain the legacy that has been born,” said Tom Harms.

Try-outs for all college basketball teams will take place in term one next year and will be open to all Tatachilla students in Years 9-12.

The college congratulates all members of the winning open boys’ basketball team, listed below:

• Lachlan Dennis (Year 12) CAPTAIN
• Travis McCloud (Year 12)
• Samuel Selfe (Year 12)
• Ethan Szalai (Year 12)
• Max Thompson (Year 12)
• Jack Broadstock (Year 11)
• Wujdan Hadchiti (Year 11)
• Patrick McDonald (Year 11)
• Hudson Croser (Year 10)
• Frank Maung (Year 10)
• Hudson Boal (Year 9)