Team on a mission

The extraordinary U14 Illawarra Hawks team includes (back row) Matt Goode, Nicholas Kondakis, Jordan Taylor, Pat Simes, James Lavendar, (front row) Chris Weissel, Matt Logan, Cameron Bouma and Mitch Sparks. Absent: Tyler East and Cameron Bokenham.

MT PLEASANT basketball star Nicholas Kondakis has helped drive the U14 Illawarra Hawks team to victory at the recent NSW Country Championship in Newcastle.

In a total domination of opposition teams, the powerful Illawarra side cruised through the country tournament undefeated - scoring a whopping 511 points and conceding only 181.

The final was played against Canberra and a combination of great attacking transition and intimidating defence saw the Hawks pull away to an easy 87/36 victory.

Nicholas scored an amazing 31 points in the championship decider and was named most valuable player for the game.

Towradgi's Jordan Taylor also made a major contribution with 20 points.

The young Hawks side now advances to the National Club Championships.

"The team is producing some quality performances but we are always looking to improve, particularly as the standard of the opposition at the nationals will be extremely high," Mt Ousley coach Mark Chuimento said.

The next goal for the team is to take out the Southern Junior League title followed by the State Championships.

The young side will then compete against the best Australia has to offer at the nationals in Ulverstone, Tasmania in September.

It has been a superb achievement for this extraordinary team to qualify for Tasmania, but the travel costs will not be cheap.

Anyone interested in providing sponsorship or other assistance can contact team manager and former Steelers player John Sparks on 0409 668 762.