Westminster Makes History with First State Basketball Championship
Westminster has made School sporting history, claiming its first Boys Senior Basketball State Championship after defeating some of South Australia’s strongest school basketball programs.
The historic title was secured at the State Basketball Centre, where Westminster joined Woodville High School, Concordia College and Prince Alfred College in the final four of the Statewide Schools competition.
Westminster produced some of its best basketball of the season to defeat Woodville by 18 points in the semi-final. The result was particularly impressive against a Woodville side featuring RJ Brown Junior, the youngest player signed by an NBL club since 1982.
Advancing to the Grand Final against PAC, Westminster took control of the Championship decider early and led throughout before closing out a convincing 73–62 victory to be crowned State Champions for the first time in School history.
Captain Charlie Pedler led the way with an outstanding performance while senior students Harry Davison and Jayden Wood provided important leadership throughout the campaign.
Year 11 guard Brooklyn Arnold, again impressed in his first season as a Dragon, while 15-year-old Caleb Dyer was electrifying from beyond the arc, underlining the exciting young talent emerging through Westminster Basketball.
Head of Basketball, Jarryd Hoppo said the Championship was a significant milestone in the rise of basketball at Westminster.
“This is a special moment for Westminster Basketball and a tremendous reward for the work this group has put in throughout the season.
“We have been building a program that gives students the opportunity to develop as athletes, compete against the very best and genuinely believe they belong at this level.
“What is particularly exciting is the depth of talent we now have coming through the School. This Championship is an important milestone but we also see it as another step in where we want to take basketball at Westminster.”
The State Championship has now earned Westminster the right to compete in the Championship Division at the Foot Locker Australian School Championships on the Gold Coast in late November, where the team will test itself against leading school basketball programs from across the country.