Zaverona suits up for the State

Emerging Safety Bay basketballer Aiden Zaverona is confident the experience of having already represented his State will be a significant benefit at the upcoming Australian Junior Championships in New South Wales.

Zaverona first lined up for WA as a 12-year-old at the national schoolboys championships in Newcastle and is set to again don the black and gold for next month’s competition in Tamworth.

Despite being just 15, Zaverona has already compiled an impressive list of achievements, which included a trip to the United States last year as part of a special touring team which took on American high school sides.

He has also played representative basketball for Rockingham Flames at an U14 tournament in Canberra and believes the combined experience at State and national will help to calm any nerves at this year’s championships.

‘‘Because I’ve been before, I think it’ll help me when I’m over there and I probably won’t be as nervous,’’ Zaverona said.

‘‘I’ve seen how teams in the other States play.

‘‘So I was pretty relieved when they told me I made the team.

‘‘I was pretty shocked and quite excited because I missed a few training sessions.’’

Zaverona survived an extensive selection process which involved nearly 60 players.

Hefirst took up basketball as an 11-year-old as a way to keep fit while not playing soccer.

The decision proved a good one and he was soon playing for Rockingham Flames in the WA Basketball League.