By Justin Schwarze
Pakenham basketball duo Ollie Main and Aston McCallum made history at the Under 14 Southern Cross Challenge in January by playing big roles in Vic Country Goldminers’ undefeated record and championship run.
The Challenge featured the best under-14 teams from around the country, and the tournament took place in Knox.
En route to the grand final, they defeated South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales.
In the championship game the pair aided their side in an upset, yet dominant, win over powerhouse Vic Metro.
The final margin was 21 points, with Country outscoring their opponents in every quarter bar one.
McCallum poured in 10 points in the final, while Main added four.
Metro came in as champions in both 2023 and 2024 and the program routinely features the best talent in the age bracket from the strongest area.
But the boys, who are best mates off the court, claimed their bond with their team played a pivotal part in the team’s success.
“Going into the tournament and at training our coach said that our togetherness was going to be a big thing,” Main said.
“Every game I felt like it was at a high level and that’s what made us win gold.”
The pair was very impressive during the entire tournament, with both finishing inside the top 25 for scoring out of over 100 players.
Main also connected on the fourth-most three pointers, with nine triples in seven games.
The boys were initially surprised by the level of basketball and competition standard, but they met the challenge.
“It was very quick, it was much quicker than what we normally play,” Main noted.
“Everyone was making tough shots, we just had to adapt, and I feel like our team adapted the best.”
In-game adjustments and chemistry was the recipe for their success.
“When we had to adapt, we just took a timeout and took a breath,” McCallum said.
“We discussed what needed to change, and we went out there and executed.”
Being from the Country program, the boys had formed a tight-knit group that gave them an edge over any opponent.
“We’ve all been playing against each other for so long; we know how each other play,” McCallum stated.
“We just play to our strengths, and what one person’s not good at, someone else is good at.”
The gold medal is a massive achievement, but the learning and advice they gained from the high level coaching was also invaluable.
“Our coach was just telling us to be ourselves,” Main shared.
“In my first game, I was quite scared and nervous, and I wasn’t being me.
“We had individual meetings nearly every day, and after mine my coach helped me to realise to be myself.”
Playing on the national stage has taught the boys things they will carry into their future basketball endeavours.
“When it came to playing, I switched into the mode of now we need to win,” McCallum said.
“I learnt to be more confident in everything I do, because if you’re confident with something, you’re going to be able to do it.”
The boys are now etched in history, being a part of one of the only teams to take down Vic Metro in an age group the program usually dominates.
“I wasn’t expecting us to adapt the way we did,” Main admitted.
“It made me realise I can be me at a higher stage, and I don’t need to feel nervous because I played my role and I executed.”
