Ararat’s Zachery Dunmore has caught the eye of many at Basketball Ballarat after a red-hot run in Big V competition for the Ballarat Youth League Miners.
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The 18-year-old averaged 23 points from five games in a confidence-boosting run from late April to early May, achieving double figures in all those matches.
His best outing came in a round six loss to Casey Cavaliers, during which Dunmore made a double double of 37 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Since then, Dunmore has spent time training with elite team the Ballarat Miners, which play in the South East Australian Basketball League. He said the sessions really help with his development, giving him an extra push and confidence boost.
The year 12 student began with Aussie Hoops at seven. But it was a rocky start.
“Mum couldn’t keep me on the court apparently,” he said. “But (when I got older) I started enjoying it more.”
At 16, Dunmore started playing in under-18 competition as a bottom age player, then top age, and went on to Ballarat’s youth league team.
This year marks his second season playing in the Big V.
“I didn’t get much court time last year because I was still in under-18s,” he said. “It was a bit of a change, it’s much more higher-level play compared to what I used to play in Ararat.”
Dunmore believes his strong performances come down to finding confidence.
“I hadn’t really had much confidence until I started scoring a bit more and my teammates were helping me out,” he said. “Even off the court, it’s really fun to play with them, even if we haven’t been getting the best results.”
Dunmore hopes to become a professional player when he leaves school. But for now he is working towards a late finals push and earning a call-up to SEABL.
His mother Donna is also a familiar face around the club as the youth league team manager. She has been in the position for two years.
Ms Dunmore has also been president of the Ararat Basketball Association for nearly three years, runs the squad programs and jumps in to coach when required.
All are volunteer positions.
Her husband Geoff has been a referee for two years, daughter Gypsy plays in under-16 and under-18 competition and daughter Chloe works at Basketball Ballarat.
Ms Dunmore estimates the family commutes from Ararat to Ballarat five to six times a week, with basketball commitments taking up most nights and weekends.
“Basketball is a huge part of our life,” she said. “I love having the whole family involved and the most rewarding thing is seeing the kids succeed in what they are doing and enjoying it.”