The Mustangs earned their spot in the Under 14 Australian Basketball Club Championships as joint hosts of the tournament with Newcastle.

But far from being overawed the girls, who predominantly have another year in under 14s, pushed their more fancied opponents.

Seven out of the 12 players only turned 12 this year, but those include NSW primary school representatives Isabella Jennings, Sophie Williams and Mercydes Metcalf as well as Mila Wawszkowicz, Sienna Burgess, Sophie Bultitude who took part in the State All Schools titles.

Mustangs coach Wawszkowicz said it will be a great chance for those players to see where they need to be to qualify in 2017.

“We’re not focused on results, we’re focused on learning and experience,” he said.

“We want to represent Maitland to the best of our ability in front of family and friends.

“I’d suggest that by the end of the week they’ll be better players than at the start.”

The Mustangs the preliminary rounds with a 40-44 loss to Geraldton on Monday and then pushed powerful South Australian team South Adelaide Panthers for three-quarters.

The gap in age and experience, finally told on the young Mustangs falling 73-45 in Monday night’s encounter.

Maitland were brave against the Canberra Capitals but every player rotation seemed to provide bigger, stronger and faster opponents.

The Mustangs were without Milla Wawszkowicz, who injured her knee on Monday, and Sophie Bultitude who hurt her wrist early in the Canberra game.

The Capitals ran out 63-12 winners to finish second in their pool from South Adelaide, who defeated them 59-50 in their opening pool game.

Maitland now enters the draw for play-offs for places 13-24.

The Newcastle Hunters under-14 girls lost their first match 38-47 to Gold Coast Waves on Monday, before defeating Darwin 40-31 on Tuesday. Their final pool match was against Knox Raiders.

The Hunters under-14 boys defeated Townsville Heat 72-37 on Tuesday after an opening loss to North Adelaide Rockets by 93-58. Their final pool match is against Diamond Valley.

The championships enter the finals stage on Wednesday and continue through to Sunday at Maitland Federation Centre.