LOCHIE Alexander has proven to be one of the North Coast’s best junior basketball and volleyball players.

The 18-year-old was named most valuable player (MVP) of his North Coast teams at both the recent Combined High Schools Boys Basketball and Volleyball Championships.

The Sapphire Beach resident earnt MVP honours at the Basketball championships after averaging 22 points per game which was second for the tournament.

This included a tournament high for all players of 36 points against the North West team.

Despite receiving the individual honours, Alexander had a clear highlight of his time playing at the two championships.

“The highlight was getting the opportunity to play at such a high level was truly humbling, and meeting so many new people at both carnivals was a memory that I will always remember and cherish,” he said.

“It was a great honour to win the MVP awards, but is a team award because all I wanted to do was help the team achieve success in whatever way I could.”

Alexander has been a mainstay of the Bellingen Valley Braves junior rep teams in recent years where he was bestowed with the award of the Bellinger Valley Basketball Association’s Junior Club Person Of The Year, which is recognised as one of the most prestigious awards granted by the association.

He was also part of the Braves seniors’ team which won last year’s Sunshine Conference Seniors League, a victory which held a special place in his heart.

“My best memory in basketball was winning the Sunshine Conference Senior League in 2020 as a part of the Bellinger Valley Braves Senior team,” he said.

“It was in front of a home crowd containing my family and friends, who I value very deeply.”

In addition to his basketball achievements, Alexander has also achieved recent success on the volleyball court.
He was acknowledged as the Most Valuable Player at the Midway Volleyball Tournament held in Coffs Harbour at Easter.

He was also named the Most Valuable Player in the junior competition during Coffs Harbour’s biggest volleyball event the Jacanana in November last year.

Alexander said the camaraderie forged through playing basketball and volleyball was his favourite part of both sports.

“Nothing makes me feel better than making my teammates feel good about themselves when they do something good, because it effectively develops the team chemistry and creates a bond between me and my teammates that go beyond the court or the game,” he said.

Alexander said playing with a certain family member was his favourite moment playing volleyball.

“The best part is being given the opportunity to play with my father Simon in the local Coffs Harbour volleyball competition as members of TMNT,” he said.

“Thursday night volleyball is a highlight of my week because I get to do something with Dad that we both have a deep passion for, and we push each other to be better players”.

 

By Aiden BURGESS