SOUTH Australia's under-20 men's team has continued to stamp itself as the most likely challenger to Victoria's dominance at the national titles at Bendigo Stadium.
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The Croweaters, under head coach Scott Whitmore, notched their fourth win of the tournament with a thrilling 70-63 victory over Western Australia on Wednesday.
Jacob Rigoni led the way for South Australia with a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds.
The top-age player is averaging a healthy 22.75 points and six rebounds for the tournament.
He was well supported by Isaac White, who scored 20 points, to take his tournament average to 25.25 points per game.
The South Australians are due to meet Victoria, which also advanced to 4-0 with a win over Tasmania, on Thursday.
SA coach coach Scott Whitmore said his team had been quietly confident of its chances entering the tournament.
"We brought back three starters from last year's team and added a few guys from the under-18 team from last year and we've got some fresh kids out of the country," he said.
"We're quietly confident, we're prepared and we have some guys who are in some pretty good touch.
"We'd like to think we could make the top four and then make some noise from there."
Victoria continued on its winning ways with an 87-50 demolition of Tasmania.
A solid team effort was led by Mate Colina (17 points, six rebounds), Mitchell Barry (15 points, six rebounds) and Gabe Hadley (13 points, six rebounds)
We'd like to think we could make the top four and then make some noise from there.
- Scott Whitmore
In round three of the women's under-20 championships, New South Wales advanced to 3-1 with a win over Western Australia (2-2).
Cassidy McLean top scored fo New South Wales with 18 points and added five rebounds and five assists in a 68-61 win.
Rachel Mate (21 points, six rebounds, five assists) propelled Queensland to its second win of the tournament against South Australia.
The Maroons won 68-58.
Victoria's clash against the ACT was still in progress when the Bendigo Advertiser went to print.
There appears to be no stopping Victoria in the men's Ivor Burge Championships for players with an intellectual disability.
The free-scoring Vics, under coach Glenn Jordan, made it four wins from four games with a 98-69 win against Tasmania.
Ryan Briggs top scored with 21 for Victoria, while Dylan Pace had 17 for Tasmania.
Victoria's women's team is also undefeated after a massive 125-20 win over South Australia, with Katlin Zonneveld and Samantha Williver both scoring 28 points.
