Screaming Eagle (SE)

The Eagle’s are particularly proud at the moment because two of our juniors in Alex Sharp and Abi Akintola have just been selected for the Under 17 Australian team that will compete in the 2013 FIBA Under 17 Oceania Championships in Melbourne later this month. A win puts the team into the World Championships in Slovakia for the women and Dubai for the men in June next year.

I was lucky enough to be able to catch up with both of them recently.


Hi guys, thanks for taking the time to speak with me. Perhaps if we say ladies first and start with Alex. Firstly congratulations, there must have been some excitement in the Sharp household last Sunday night. But let’s go back a touch and start where it all began. When and where did basketball all first start with Alex Sharp? How did you get into basketball?

Alex Sharp (AS)
I first started basketball early in primary school, playing for St. Thomas with some of my friends who were in the domestic teams. I played netball prior to this, but remember disliking the many restrictions, so thought I’d try out basketball!

SE
Dante Exum has been in the news a bit lately, and of course his father Cecil is well known in Eagle’s circles so Dante has a fair pedigree behind him. What’s the pedigree behind you the player, were your parents into sport?

AS
My family have always been active, surrounding me not only with sport, but outdoor activities like camping, so I quickly grew a love for various sports. Mum was a netballer all through school and then played basketball at Uni, she and her sister were also State level Irish dancers, Dad played footy and has a Black Belt in Karate.

SE
I suppose the same questions for you Abi, where and how did it all start for you?


Abi Akintola (AA)
I first wanted to play basketball after watching the South Dragons play in the NBL. I thought the sport looked fun and wanted to join in. I’d also met a few NBL players who had done visits to my primary school and wanted to copy my idols.

SE
South Dragons, now there’s a name we haven’t heard for a while! Plenty of kids play a lot of sports when they are young eventually settling on one, Abi did you play any other sports when you were younger, if so what and do you still play other sports?

AA
I haven’t had much non-basketball sport experience. I remember doing swimming lessons when I was young and playing a year of Auskick and I still follow the AFL and am a Brisbane Lions supporter.

SE
What about you Alex, did you have interest in any other sports and if so, how did you go?

AS
Yes I was involved in various other sports like swimming, tennis and athletics. As a primary school student, basketball wasn’t actually my focus, because I was lucky enough to compete at a national level in the athletics events high jump and discus. It wasn’t until I reached high school that I realised basketball was my passion, and the sport I wanted to pursue.

SE
Alex, when did you first join the Eagles as a representative player and what are your first memories of that time?

AS
I first joined the Eagles as a bottom age U/12 player, making the 2^nd team in my first ever year of representative basketball. I remember dreading having to go to training, and thinking that those sessions were the hardest things I would ever have to endure! I also remember all the post game gatherings, where the parents and players developed bonds which still exist today.

SE
What about you Abi?

AA
I first joined as a bottom age under 12’s player. I had grown very quickly and was still quite uncoordinated. I still had heaps of fun making new friends in the DV community.

SE
You both must have some amazing memories of playing rep ball for Diamond Valley, what would be your favorite Abi?

AA
I have a two way tie for my favorite moment. The first was winning the semi final to make the VC final last year because it was the furthest I had ever gone in the finals (Diamond Valley coached by Rob Coulter were defeated in the VC grand final, and it was one of three Diamond Valley teams to make the VC grand final that year). The second was winning the Eltham Dandenong tournament at the start of this year. It was a great comeback win and the first time I’d won that tournament (Diamond Valley coached by Anthony Allen defeated Keilor 41 to 39).

SE
What about you Alex?

AS
It would have to be last year’s season when our U/16’s team didn’t make the cut for Classics, but came from behind in the second half of the season to reach the Victorian Championship Grand Final. We came in as underdogs and did lose (Diamond Valley were defeated by Melbourne), but I was so proud of all our team had achieved, after the hard work we had put in all season with Al (McAughtry) and Mark (Alabakov).

SE
You’ve both had your life turned around a bit of late, and for different reasons. Firstly Alex you were selected as a development player for the Melbourne Boomers WNBL side. How did that come about and what does it entail?

AS
I was initially invited to come along to an open tryout which was held earlier in the year, and decided I would go and see what it was like playing against older girls with more experience than me. I warmed up to the high standard of the session, and ended up being invited back to the last tryout sessions, where both development and roster players would be chosen. From here I was offered a position as a development player by Guy Molloy, which means I train every week with the Boomers, helping me to learn from the older girls each session.

SE
Abi your big change was winning a scholarship to the AIS. How did that come about, what did you have to do and what does it mean in the life of Abi?

AA
Last year the AIS head coach, Ian Stacker, ran a few NITP training sessions in Melbourne. I was invited to attend these sessions and we were told that he was recruiting. After a couple of weeks he rang up my dad and offered me a scholarship, yes it has certainly changed my life around a lot!

SE
Another Eagle in Carly Turner is also up at the AIS, do you get to see her very often?

AA
I see her almost every day which is great. We go to the same school and she very occasionally trains with us, it’s nice to have another Diamond Valley person around, that’s for sure.

SE
Abi, you’ve also toured parts of the USA with the AIS. Tell us about that trip?

AA
A few weeks ago I traveled to Los Angeles to play in the Adidas Nations basketball tournament (four USA teams, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and Australia). It was a great experience and I got to play against the best high school players in the world, and learn more about what it takes to achieve my goals. I was also able to meet some of my favorite NBA players.

SE
You’ve both represented the Green and Gold before, at the Oceania Games in February in Churchill. Alex, what was it like to stand on an international stage wearing the colours of your country for the first time? Must have been pretty daunting?

AS
It was daunting, but I knew that I was prepared for that moment which helped me to settle quickly. It is the most amazing feeling walking out onto the court wearing the green and gold, knowing you’re representing all the girls you’ve played with and against throughout the years. It can become overwhelming at times, but the girls and coaches are all so supportive that you are able to focus fully on your role within the team.

SE
Abi, how did the teams go in the tournament?

AA
Both teams came away from the tournament with Gold medals. By winning we were able to do our friends, family and country proud and relieve all the nerves we had before the tournament.

SE
So here you are, now being trained for a possible berth in a national team. Once you realised you were a chance, what did you have to do to make sure you got picked? Did you do extra work and if so what? How was the journey to the point of the selection camp last weekend?

AS
Training both on and of the court was vital in my preparation. I didn’t so much do extra work, but look for better quality sessions that I could get more out of. I recognised with the help of Al (McAughtry) what I needed to improve most, and we worked on those areas together. It was important to make sure I continued to keep basketball balanced with school and downtime, so I think this really helped me in the lead up. The journey to this selection camp started about a year ago now, and was my prime goal.

AA
I continued to work with my coaches here at the AIS in developing all areas of my game. I paid particular attention to my shooting technique and accuracy and I also worked with my physio to make sure my body was right for the camp.

SE
So there you are at the last camp in Canberra with the best athletes in Australia, all competing for a spot in an Australian team. How intense was last weekend and how did you personally cope with the pressure?

AS
The sessions are always intense and jam packed with structures and principles to learn and pick up on the run. I coped with this through taking each session at a time, and having personal goals to reach in each of these, so I didn’t become overwhelmed with the pressure of the camp.

AA
Alex is right on, the sessions are always intense and it was a tough experience from session one. The weekend certainly helped me to see the weaknesses in my game. I handled the pressure by simply focusing on playing to my strengths and trying to show the coaches how I could contribute to the team if I was picked.

SE
Now don’t tell me for one second that with basketball commitments you have managed to maintain a straight A result in schooling!! Seriously, how have you fitted your studies into such a massively busy schedule?

AS
Even now playing at this level of basketball, school always comes first and is balanced with sessions throughout the week. It’s not as difficult to fit in studies as some might think. I just have to make sure I’m efficient with my time and schedule in time for homework or study. It’s also helped me to keep my teachers informed about my workload, and to prioritise work.

AA
I try to organize my time the best I can and the ‘Personal Excellence’ staff here at the AIS also help me to create time to complete my work.

SE
So here you are, you’ve made an Australia team, Alex you may go to Slovakia and Abi you may go to Dubai next June.

AS
I’m not quite there yet, for now I’ve made the team to play against New Zealand in the world championship qualifiers, so first must win this series in order to book Australia a position in the championships. From here there will be another team selection to determine who will represent the country at worlds. However for now, the prime focus is winning qualifiers before even considering world championships.

AA
At this stage, like Alex, I’ve actually only been picked to represent Australia for the qualifying tournament. We first have to qualify and then more camps will be held next year to select the team, so I have a long way to go. Having said that, I certainly am a little closer now.

SE
So you’re sitting in the chair with an Australian team coaching panel where they tell you “You’re in”. What was absolutely the first thought that came into your head when you knew you had made it?

AS
I don’t think I heard much more past what the coaches told me after I was informed that I was in the team! I immediately thought about how good it would be to wear the green and gold uniform again, and that this moment I had been waiting for, for so long, had finally come.

AA
At first I was relieved that all my hard work had paid off. After that I was extremely happy that I would be able to play for Australia and was excited to put the green and gold singlet on again.

SE
I understand that you both have siblings, are they also involved in basketball?

AS
Yes, I have a younger sister, Makenzie, who is also involved with Eagle’s, and is enjoying playing even more now, picking up some more sessions throughout the week and becoming more confident as a player.

AA
Yeah, I have a little brother, Ade, he’s just finished his U/14s top age season with Diamond Valley. He has been playing since he was double bottom age U/12s.

SE
You don’t get to this level without great coaching. Is there someone out there that you would like to acknowledge for the help they have given you, and how is it that they have assisted you?

AS
I would like to acknowledge Al McAughtry who has been training me for a few years now, and has helped me to acquire the skills needed both physically and mentally at this level of basketball. I’m so grateful to have access to such a great coach, with profound knowledge of this sport, and I owe most of my achievements to him.

AA
Robbie Coulter and Al McAughtry have been helping me improve since I started playing basketball. But many other Diamond Valley and Basketball Victoria coaches have taught me heaps. And finally the coaches here at the AIS have done a lot of work to advance my basketball ability.

SE
What’s the program from here until next June, with the team scattered all over the country, how does the team train together, what’s the schedule?

AS
I expect there will be multiple camps in the lead up to next June, where the team will meet and train together up at the AIS. There may even be some practice tournaments in the lead up to the World Championships, given that the team is successful in the qualifiers.

AA
We first have to qualify for the championships, that’s the first goal. After this the team is reselected and will head to the world championships after selection camps and a pretournament tour.

SE
Thanks guys for taking the time to chat with me. In all seriousness, you would be hard pushed to find two greater ambassadors of the Diamond Valley Basketball Association. Two fantastic young people from two great families.


To have worked so hard and then see the results of that work materialise into a spot in an Australian team is testament to not only their ability but also their work ethic.

I am sure the whole Diamond Valley community wishes them all the best of luck in their qualifying tournament, the 2013 FIBA Under 17 Oceania Championships to be held at the State Basketball Centre 26-28 September 2013), and hopefully selection into the green and gold to again represent Australia at the World Championships.

Abi and Alex, the Screaming Eagle salutes you.