The atmosphere was electric as the under 19s and A grade teams took to the court with an official cheer squad on the sideline to spur on the players.

Although both Tenterfield teams were beaten, the games showed that the teams are improving on their techniques, basketball co-ordinator Jason Ash said.

“Three month ago they would have got flogged,” Jason said.

“We have improved heaps, even the parents say so.”

The A grade team was a bit slow to start, but Jason attributed this to the fact they have not trained with each other yet. Two players from Glen Innes joined the A grade team to help make numbers for home games.

The turnout for the night did not disappoint with seats selling out. This was recognised by the President of the Basketball Academy in Toowoomba who told Jason Ash that their games usually had turnouts of 50 people or less. Saturday saw at least 100 people attend the game.

“We’re going to have more seats for the next game,” Jason said.

“Heaps of people were cheering. We had a cheer squad with a mega phone.”

Preparation has begun for the upcoming games, including their away game on Saturday, May 24 against Goondiwindi.

The next home game will be on Saturday, June 14 against Warwick which has an American NBL basketballer on their team, and came third in the competition last year. It is set to be a big match that will push the teams to the limit.