By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THEY were eight seconds of frantic basketball Joel Smith will never forget.
“When that final buzzer went it was the best feeling,” Smith recalled. “I’ve never been happier in my life, ever. I just can’t explain it.”
Smith and his Vic Metro teammates were engaged in the battle of their lives against New South Wales Metro in Brisbane last month in the Under-18 Australian Junior Championship grand final. After coming back from 13 points down earlier in the game, Vic Metro led by three in the dying moments.
With the final play of the game NSW Metro had a chance to level the score with a three-point attempt.
It didn’t go in, and just like that, the Victorians had finally managed to overcome the side that had denied them the national title the previous two years.
The Hillside resident and 17-year-old product of the Keilor Thunder and Maribyrnong College, said he’d never experienced such pressure on a basketball court.
“That last minute my heart was pumping – it was ridiculous,” he said.
“With about 30 seconds to go (NSW Metro) hit a three, and then DJ (Dejan Vasiljevic) had the ball and got fouled, luckily. If he didn’t get fouled they would have been up by one, so the pressure was on.”
The week-long tournament also marked Smith’s first experience as a state representative basketballer. Smith’s father Shaun, a 109-game former AFL player famous for his legendary mark against the Brisbane Bears in the mid-90s, joined Smith’s mother and sister in Brisbane to cheer on their talented son and brother.
Though Smith only got to spend limited time with his family after games, he took a lot out of the week that proved successful both individually and for his team.“I didn’t mind being away from home and school,” Smith said.“It was a good time to get away and just be with all your mates because it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
“Compared to (recreational basketball) on Friday night it was so much different.“The games are more intense, harder and just better because you’ve got more challenging players and better skills.
I’d love to play with that team again.”
For now though Smith is back living the normal life of a Year 12 student and doesn’t know what his sporting future entails.
Smith does admit he’s eying off the NBA, but is keeping his options (which may include giving football another try) open.
