Promoted to finish third

THE Central West/Orange basketball side surprised themselves last weekend at Newcastle when they finished third at the Special Olympics NSW basketball championships for the intellectually disabled.

Individual players were also rewarded with six invited to attend the State trials.

The side was made up of Rachael Speechley, Troy Speechley, Josh McLeay, Greg Porter, Mitchell Mavrak and Shaun Varehov from Canobolas High and Bernadette Barden and Eliza Barden from Borenore Public.

Shaun, Mitchell, Greg, Josh, Bernadette and Eliza were all selected to attend the trials.

Coach Carmen Skidmore said she was proud of the team's achievements.

"We didn't know how they'd go," Skidmore said. "They have done so well."

The Central West/Orange side started in the lowest division on Saturday but when they were winning their opening game 51-2 at half time, the game was called off and they were promoted three divisions to the top grade.

They won their first A grade game 33-27 against the Roseland Diggers.

They went down in their second match 57-51 to the Hunter Valley Hecklers which included a lot of former Australian representatives.

They lost their final match 32-17 to finish third in the State.

The Central West/Orange side was the youngest team in the competition with their oldest player only 16.

Skidmore said the team showed great sportsmanship and enjoyed watching local boy Mitch Selwood in action at a Hunter Pirates NBL game.

Shaun Varehov was proud to be chosen flag bearer for the opening ceremony and Eliza Barden was voted players' player by the team.

The team was assisted by manager Mark Skidmore.