THE Bendigo Braves' dominance at under-16 girls level has been reflected in the naming of the Victoria Country team to contest this year's national junior championships.
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Three Braves players - Piper Dunlop, Meg McCarthy and Olivia Noter - have won selection in the team to play in Perth in July.
Their Bendigo coach Nick Salm said it was an unbelievable achievement for the trio, who were key players in the Braves under-16s Victorian country championship win in February.
It's the first time since the late 1990s that the Bendigo Basketball Association has supplied three players to the 10 member team.
"It's a big achievement. And two of them, Piper and Meg, are bottom age players too," Salm said.
"So there's a bright future ahead for those girls, as there is Olivia.
"Piper is a genuine athlete and so are Olivia and Meg. I haven't see to many point guards of Meg's calibre around at this age."
Dunlop, who plays centre, was the leading scorer for the Braves with 13 points in their 40-25 country championship win over the Wonthaggi Coasters.
Small forward Noter contributed eight points, while McCarthy chipped in with four points and a swag of possessions.
"Their selection is a credit to their parents and the athletes themselves, who have will themselves and pushed their bodies," Salm said.
Victoria Country coach Joe Turner said the side's strength, including its Bendigo contingent, lied in its versatility.
"We think we've selected a long and athletic team - a lot of players that can do a lot of different things on the court and can affect the game," he said.
"To be picked in that top 10 they have a lot to be proud about."
Meanwhile, Brave Dyson Daniels has been selected as an emergency for the Victoria Country men’s under-16 team.
The bottom-age guard is the son of former Braves SEABL favourite son Ricky Daniels.