the Sydney West Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) basketball team won its first ever State Carnival event in May.

Oakville Public School’s Mackenzie Lawrence was the only Hawkesbury local to make it on the Sydney West PSSA team, who made the final after an extra time win against Mackillop and a 45-55 win in the final against Polding.

The PSSA Girls State Basketball Carnival was held at Bankstown Basketball Stadium from May 27-29, and consisted of 14 teams and 140 players all up.

Standing at about five foot five and at just 12 years of age, Mackenzie Lawrence has made a quick rise in the basketball ranks.

Her mother, Sue Lawrence, said Mackenzie has been playing netball since she was nine years of age but only took up basketball about two months ago.

Mackenzie now plays with the Hawkesbury District Basketball Association’s (HDBA) Under 16 girls’ rep team. Her coach, Leonie Shearer, said Mackenzie has been coming along in “leaps and bounds” since she joined them.

“She’s a great player... that Sydney West won that [carnival] is a huge effort,” she said.

Ms Shearer also wanted to encourage more young girls to find out about the teams and programs HDBA runs, and the great facilities at Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium.

HDBA runs basketball competitions at the stadium including Juniors (U/12, U/14, U/16 & U/18), who play every Saturday morning from 9.30am, a Junior girls competition on Tuesday afternoons from 5.30pm and an Open Womens comp from 7pm, and an Open Mens comp run on Wednesday nights starting at 7pm.

HDBA runs a rep program over the first eight months of the year for all Junior and Senior divisions, as well as an Aussie Hoop introduction to Basketball for 5, 6, 7 & 8 year olds on Saturday mornings from 8.30am.

Contact HDBA representatives on 4587 8105 or HDBA@bigpond.net.au for details.