Claiming the competition was tough, she was part of an undefeated team at the tournament.

The 13-year-old was one of 10 players selected to represent the Under 15s SA Country team at the Port Macquarie competition.

It was her first appearance at the event and followed on from her selection for the SA Country team at last year’s Australian Junior Country Cup tournament in Albury Wodonga.

She was joined by five other Port Augusta basketball players - Tom Hore, Tyler McKenzie and Harrison Slee and Ammy Singleton - who were also selected to represent SA Country in their age groups.

Being put through some vigorous training on and off the court prior and during the competition, she said being part of the team was a rewarding challenge.

“SA Country hasn’t won this for two years, so going undefeated was pretty good,” Laurie said.

“It (the competition) was tiring…some games went for as long as two hours, because of championship rules,” she said.

“But it was heaps exciting.”

The team beat Country New South Wales in the final.

In the meantime she is back in Port Augusta cramming in as much basketball as she can locally, playing for the Falcons in the Under 15, the Under 17 and A grade teams, as well as coaching younger players too.

Playing basketball since she was five Laurie said she hoped to further her basketball career even further.

She said she is hoping her performance was good enough to earn her a place in the nationals competition in Brisbane later this year.