Ainsley and Keeley Holmes both picked in respective development league squads

Sisters Ainsley and Keeley have been regulars in Orange Eagles and Western Reds squads for the past few seasons, and their tenacity at the ball and skill on the court has them as recognised names through the region.

Evidently, though, that name recognition extends further than either expected.

Ainsley and Keeley have been picked in the under 16 and under 14 NSW Country squads to head down to the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in January in Albury.

Keeley will be joined by Sage Annis-Brown in the under-14 side.

But before that, the duo will strut their stuff on courts closer to home, with the pair making the development league, known as D-league.

The league brings together some of the best talent from across the state for three weekends in a row in Sydney, to be split up into four random teams to play a round robin.

"We put our names down and they picked us from some representative games from all the trials and some of the other stuff we go to," Ainsley said.

Despite putting her name up, neither Holmes girl had any thought they'd get picked but are both over the moon to be taking part, with the first round beginning this weekend.

Ainsley has made other squads before - although not D-league - and knows what to expect.

"I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends again having the chance to be coached by other people," she said.

"I'll listen to coaches and hear what they have to offer."

It's a newer world for the younger Holmes, but there are few nerves in making her first squad of this level.

"I'm sort of [nervous], but more excited to meet new people and play with different people," she said.

Ainsley and Keeley play together in Orange's local competition, but know the higher they get in the junior representative system the less likely they are to play together, but the duo have plans to reunite down the track at the highest level they can get to.

The current level their aiming at?

"Playing in the WNBA and playing for Australia, it would be cool to do it together," Keeley said.

"We enjoy playing with each other."

The quest to reach state level is one they've been aiming at for years, not simply playing and training with each other on the court but dragging each other outside to shoot, which made the two of them making squads at the same time all the more memorable.

"It's really cool because we've been dreaming of doing it for two years," Keeley said.

As well as thanking their parents, the duo cited Jarrod Close and Paul Masters for their help reaching the squad.