Basketball royalty

MERINDA Park basketballers Jamie Spiteri and Ashlee LeClerc are this month’s prince and princess of the court at Cranbourne Life Be In It Sports Centre.
Both children compete for the club on Saturdays and started the sport after watching older siblings play.
Under-10s player Spiteri idolises Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson and supports NBA team the Denver Nuggets.
His highlight is winning a trophy from an under-8 basketball tournament.
Under-8 representative and Chicago Bulls fan LeClerc’s favourite basketballers are recently retired Dandenong Ranger Emily McInerny and former Bulls superstar Michael Jordan. “I love the game and I also like Michael Jordan,” she said. “I have the same number as him – 23.”
Jack Richards and Ashleigh Beugelaar-Lee won the basketball referee and netball umpire awards respectively.
Richards referees B-grade games four nights a week and started the job three years ago to earn money. He enjoys calling technical fouls.
Beugelaar-Lee umpires twice a week and likes the responsibility of her role. “I started umpiring because I thought that it would be a good experience and that I would learn more about netball,” she said. “At the moment I am unbadged (as an umpire), but I would like to become badged as soon as possible.”