A HALF dozen Junior Bendigo Braves have been included in Victoria Country teams for the Australian Under-16 Junior Championships in Queensland later this year.

Announced by Basketball Victoria on Wednesday night, the boys and girls squads comprise 15 players and include five emergencies.

Selected were Piper Dunlop, Meg McCarthy, Tayha Watkins, Dyson Daniels, Macey Eaton and Dylan McCauley.

Top-agers Dunlop and McCarthy are two of three returning players from last year’s Victoria Country team, which won a silver medal in Perth.

The talented pair has been selected in the 10-player team and is joined by Seymour-based Brave Tayha Watkins, who has been named as an emergency.

Dunlop was one of the stars of last year’s tournament, averaging 13.44 points and 9.33 rebounds through nine games.

Head-coach Joe Turner said he again expecting his team to be a strong contender.

“We have players that can fill a variety of different roles and play an up-tempo, exciting brand of basketball that suits our Victoria Country system and style of play,” he said.

“They have the ability to play tough on both sides of the ball and take as much pride in their ability on the defensive side as the offensive.

“The skillset across the board of all positions shows the great depth and balance of the age group.

“I’m really excited about the potential for our group to be balanced throughout the roster.

“Three athletes – Piper Dunlop, Emirson Devenie (Traralgon) and Meg McCarthy - are returning this year as top-agers and will bring experience while Paige Price will definitely make an immediate impact on the group.”

Like Dunlop and McCarthy, Dyson Daniels is returning for his second year with the boy’s team.

He is joined by Braves team-mates Macey Eaton and Dylan McCauley, who have been named as emergencies.

New head coach Joe Anderson said the side’s athleticism and all-round capabilities on the court were matched by its intelligence and skillfulness.

“The Country boy’s team will have elite penetrators at almost every position, complemented by a host of perimeter shooters to assist them in stretching the floor,” Anderson said.

“On top of that they’re an incredibly athletic and intelligent group of young men.

“We have Dyson Daniels and Jordan Michel returning to the line-up from 2017 as both of these athletes made the team last year as bottom age players and I’m looking for a big campaign from them in terms of both play and leadership.

“This team will play a fast brand of basketball, fitting in with just about every CV team’s style of play.”

Daniels averaged 8.88 points, 4.75 rebounds and 1.75 assists at last year’s nationals

The championships will be staged at Maroochydore from July 6-13.