Sport
8 August, 2025
Former Wildcats stars turning heads in metro basketball circles
Sutton and Duncan going gangbusters for new hoops teams
TWO former West Wyalong Wildcats, Liam Duncan and Charlie Sutton, have taken bold steps beyond their hometown and are now turning heads in Albury each delivering standout seasons that reflect their grit, maturity, and natural basketball talent.
Leaving behind the familiar courts of West Wyalong, both boys embraced new challenges, joining elite Albury programs. What followed were seasons of growth, hard work, and personal and professional triumphs.
After a glittering junior career with the Wildcats, Liam Duncan was selected in the Border Bandits Youth League team for the 2025 season, a key feeder squad to the NBL1 Albury Wodonga Bandits, the second-highest tier of professional basketball in Australia. While his team was knocked out last weekend, Duncan has had an amazing season nonetheless.
Liam is the 19-year-old son of Barry and Belinda Duncan, and began the year as an unknown in Albury. But through determination, skill, and unrelenting work ethic, he finished the regular season as one of the most trusted and valued players on the roster.
He played 19 games in his rookie season and was awarded the prestigious Player’s Player title at the Bandits' end-of-season presentation, a peer-voted honour recognising not just performance, but leadership, character, and the respect of teammates.
Bandits Head Coach Shane Strang spoke glowingly of Duncan.
“From the moment Dunc walked through the doors, he embraced us - but I think we embraced him even more. For someone from out of town to make such a genuine, immediate impact on our group has been a joy to witness. He’s just such a nice young man.”
Despite being a smaller guard in stature, Duncan’s impact was anything but small. In last weekend’s sudden-death semi-final, he pulled down 10 rebounds, helping the Bandits edge out a thrilling one-point victory. He will resume his starting guard role this weekend as the team enters the second round of Youth League finals.
Following a similar path is Charlie Sutton, a Year 11 student at West Wyalong High School, who also made a successful move to Albury and wrapped up a brilliant junior career with the Albury Cougars Under-18s Division One team.
Sutton’s final junior season was nothing short of remarkable. Over the course of two seasons, he rose to become one of the most influential players in the Cougars program.
This year, his efforts were rewarded with a clean sweep of major honours - Albury Cougars Under 18s Club Most Valuable Player, Grand Final MVP and Southern Junior League Grand Final Champion.
And his season isn’t over yet, Charlie will lead the undefeated Cougars at the NSW State Cup in Shoalhaven on this weekend on August 9 and 10, capping off an unforgettable campaign.
Much like Duncan, Sutton arrived in Albury not knowing anyone, but he earned respect the hard way: by showing up, working hard, and playing for the team. He hopes to take the next step in 2026 by joining the Border Bandits Youth League, where he would reunite with Duncan and re-form a dynamic backcourt partnership.
Their success is a powerful reminder that small-town athletes, backed by strong communities and values, can thrive on the big stage. Whether it’s Liam flying high with the Bandits or Charlie leading the Cougars into State Cup, these two are just getting started.
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