But the countless kilometres racked up from one training session to the next has paide off for Blaze young gun Amelia Hassett from being named in the New South Wales country girls team to compete at the Australian under-16 Championships in Darwin early next month.

Hassett, 15, comes off the bench for the Blaze in the Waratah League and plays junior hoops for Cootamundra.

Incredibly the Adelong-based centre, who already measures around six foot, is one of three Tumut school kids to make state teams, with Grace Whyte and Haiden Ings also chosen.

"We've had a few (make state teams) but you could probably count them on one hand over the years," O'Leary said.

"The last one was probably Prue Walsh a few years ago in under-18s, I keep telling everybody her mum burnt out three new cars to get her to training.

"Every time a state team has a training session it's in Newcastle, Maitland or the Central Coast.

"Until we get really good facilities down here, and we're starting to get that now at Equex (Centre), the we're stuck on the other side of the coin. We get three to five really good kids, but we have to take them to where it's at."

Hassett is in her second year with defending division one champions the Blaze, who take on Camden Valley and Coffs Harbour in a double header at Minto on Saturday.

"She plays with us because she wants to play in harder competition and develop her game," O'Leary said.

"She holds her own in our team as well, she can come in and be a game turner when she wants to be.

"Kids from Tumut, or even Wagga for that matter, don't have the competition there compared to those in the city or major regional centres."

Hassett said playing against older and stronger players with the Blaze has improved her game.

"It's good to play against people who have played more basketball and learn from that," Hassett said.

"I'm pretty excited (about nationals), it's going to be a challenge."

O'Leary said her height and passion for the game give her a headstart on opponents.

"She's working on being a post player and being big inside, but I try and keep her grounded with her ball skills," he said.

"Dribbling and passing and playing on the perimeter because who knows, her growth may plateau.

"At 18 or 19 she may not be the tallest kid anymore."

Men's side the Wagga Blaze will look to back up last week's win at Orange at heavyweights Canberra Gunners Academy on Saturday afternoon.

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