Two of Ballarat's up and coming basketballers have signed on with the Ballarat Miners ahead of the 2021 NBL1 South season.
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Will Hynes and Ethan Fiegert have joined the senior team.
Both players have made their way through the Basketball Ballarat pathway program and graduated to the senior ranks.
Hynes and Fiegert have been consistent contributors for the Miners youth team over the last couple of seasons and now have the chance to take the next step to the men's competition.
Hynes said it's been a goal of his to make the Miners team and is looking forward to the opportunity.
"I am very excited to be announced on the Hotondo Homes Ballarat Miners Roster for the NBL1 South season, as it has been a goal of mine since I started playing basketball," he said.
"To be a part of the first season that will be played at the Ballarat Sports Events Centre (BSEC) will also be a huge thrill."
Hynes came through the junior ranks with Exies Acmy and still plays with its men's A-grade side. He has represented Ballarat in every junior age-group, through to the youth league and now Miners.
He said he wants to help showcase the pathway to the men's team to the younger players in Ballarat.
"To have played Ballarat representative basketball since under-12s I am honoured to be announced on the Ballarat Miners roster," he said.
"I hope younger players who aspire to play in the NBL1 South can see that there is most definitely a pathway to achieve this through the Thrifty Ballarat Miners Rush junior program."
Fiegert has mirrored Hynes' rise through the junior ranks, playing his junior and men's A-grade basketball with Phoenix.
He has represented Ballarat in all junior age groups and has played for Victoria country at national tournaments.
He said he's looking forward to playing for his home team and adding to his game before college.
"I'm super excited to get the opportunity to play for my home-town team where I grew up idolising the Ballarat Miners and at the new Ballarat Sports Events Centre," he said.
"I hope to gain strength, knowledge and be playing my best basketball before I head off to Culver-Stockton College at the end of the season where I plan on studying mathematics or business marketing."
The two join Zac Dunmore, Jordan Lingard, Daniel Joyce, Matt Kenyon and William Hickey on the Miners 2021 roster.
The team now looks forward to its opening round clash of the 2021 NBL1 South season against the Albury Wodonga Bandits on Saturday April 17.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8pm at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.
Hynes and Fiegert will get to make their BSEC debut's against Bendigo in round three on Saturday May 1.
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