IT WAS a case of second time lucky for a young Leeton basketballer after gaining selection in a NSW Country development team.

Last year Maddison Clyne tried out for a spot in a country development team and missed out, but this year she has been selected in the under 17s team to play at the NSW Country development tournament.

Maddy, 15, took part in the NSW Country Tour trials over four days at the end of September, coming up against 29 other girls in her age group, including players she met through her Country Premier League (CPL) experience earlier this year.

In a gruelling schedule, Maddy played up to 19 hours of basketball over the duration.

"It was pretty tough," she said. "The girls were experienced and knew each other. The head coach told me I have good attributes for the team."

Selection in the country development team could provide a pathway towards selection for the NSW state team. Maddy will play at the NSW Country development tournament at Port Macquarie between January 18 and 23.

This tournament will require teams to play up to two games a day, and Maddy will also have to attend daily training and development sessions, lectures on nutrition, undergo strength and conditioning training, and learn about injury prevention and recovery techniques.

The tournament will include players and coaches from country NSW and New Zealand, with a focus on exposing athletes and coaches to various learning and development opportunities.

Maddy has grown her skills over the last 12 months, with her time at the Western Reds in the CPL a key to that.

"My experience, knowing more about the game, playing with better teams and coaches taught me skills," she said.

She was also given an insight into what it takes to reach the top through one of her Reds team mates, who is an Australian under 18s representative player.

"She's really athletic, an all-round good player," Maddy said.

The majority of players in the NSW country development team are from larger regional centres, with Maddy one of just two from west of the great divide. As a result, she will undertake a training regime on her own.

Before then, Maddy will travel to the United States on a Southern Sports Academy (SSA) tour in December with fellow Leeton player Rebekah Wilson.

A 10-player squad of recent and current SSA participants will take part in seven tournaments and attend an NBA game.

"It will be really cool to go overseas, it's my dream," Maddy said.