Waupaca junior raising funds for trip
By Greg Seubert
Baseball may be Brandon Wanty’s favorite sport to play, but basketball is giving him the opportunity to visit Australia.
The Waupaca High School junior has been invited to represent Wisconsin on a basketball team that will compete in Australia this summer in the Down Under Hoops Classic.
He is currently raising money to help cover the cost of the 10-day trip, scheduled for July.
Down Under Sports will also host competitions in football, cross country, golf, track and volleyball this year.
Wanty found out about Down Under Sports at school.
“They sent a packet to school and the school gave it to me,” he said. “I got the packet about two weeks ago.”
The team will include players from throughout Wisconsin.
“I haven’t received the list of players yet,” said Wanty, who led the Comets by averaging 15.8 points per game last season. “I’ll meet with the guys before we had down there, but our first practice will be down in Australia.”
Wanty sees the trip as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I haven’t left the country,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I looked into it and thought it’d be a cool opportunity to go down there and play some basketball. Baseball’s actually my favorite (sport), but basketball’s pretty close.”
The team will leave July 16 and return July 25 and the schedule includes three practices and two days of games at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre in Gold Coast.
The 16-team tournament will include teams from the United States and Australia.
Wanty is currently raising money to help with expenses. So far, he has contacted family, friends and local businesses.
The donation deadline is Sunday, May 13. Contact Wanty at 715-258-2823 or Karen Peterson at 715-572-1304 to donate. Checks should be made out to Down Under Sports. Donations in Wanty’s name can also be made at https://DownUnderSports.com/payment/D9E7-DBC9-863A.