By Hayley Wildes
Stifling on-court defence is what 15-year-old basketballer Meg Robinson prides herself on.
When some players look to take a break on defence, the Emerald local does the opposite. Recently, opposition players from across the nation learnt that the hard way when Meg helped Victoria Metro claim gold at the Basketball Australia under-16 Junior Championships on the Sunshine Coast.
Playing at her first national championships, she looked at home; averaging 8.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Not even a shoulder injury (sprained AC joint) that sidelined her for three games could keep her out of the all-important finals games as she returned for the semi-final against New South Wales Metro, recording 10 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Vic Metro defeated NSW Metro, 74-59, booking their place in the grand final against Vic Country.
Meg spoke about taking on Vic Country – and facing friends – in the final.
“I had a couple of friends in the Vic Country team, so it was interesting to play against them at that level – it made for an interesting match,” she said.
It certainly was an interesting match. Vic Metro jumped out to a 16-7 lead after the first quarter and despite a comeback in the third quarter from Vic Country, the Metro girls claimed gold with a 65-57 win.
“All day we had all this nervous energy and just the second we got out on the court, we were ready to go and we really pushed them,” Meg said of the dominant first quarter.
“It was the most amazing feeling when that buzzer went off. Having done all that training and those girls were like my family, so it was just the best feeling.”
The quick wing – who plays representative basketball for the Knox Raiders – has been playing basketball since she was seven-years-old after a move from netball.
“I used to play netball, but I just found with basketball that I got to run so much more,” she said.
And run, she does.
With her uncanny ability to get in passing lanes and be a flat-out nuisance on defence, Meg then gets out and runs in transition like few others. Her speed is lightning quick and she knows how to use it to her advantage.
“I love running the ball in transition and I love defence – that’s my favourite part of the game,” she said.
“I love watching players that have a great defensive game. The ones who really go after it on defence, that’s what inspires me.”
With a gold medal around her neck, Meg proved herself on the national stage and was thankful for the chance to represent her state.
“I’m just so grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
“From my coaches, family and all the players around me – it was really just a group effort.”
