Buckrell (18) plays basketball for both Waitaki Boys High School and the Penguins, and is one of several promising young basketballers to come out of the Waitaki Boys programme.
"It's sweet to be playing at such a high level and with such experienced guys," Buckrell said of his team-mates at the Penguins.
He praised both Ian Cathcart and Brian de Geest for doing a lot for the reinstated Penguins team, which last played in the national second division in 2000.
When asked about the team's prospects, Buckrell said: "We have a good squad and will hopefully go all the way [in the competition]".
He has played the sport since he was 6 and played miniball.
Buckrell, who recently moved from Hutt Valley on a basketball scholarship organised by de Geest, likes Oamaru and enjoys the "change of scene" from Wellington.
He has represented New Zealand in basketball at junior levels, playing in the New Zealand under-14 side that won a tournament in Australia in 2003.
The 1.95cm shooting guard said after finishing his schooling with Waitaki Boys High School he aimed to go to university in the United States to further his basketball career.
The Penguins play Otago tomorrow at the Waitaki Recreation Centre at 2pm.
Buckrell is looking forward to the challenge, saying that their opponents will be out for revenge after the Penguins beat them earlier in the season.
"We had a great turnout to our first home game last weekend; we're hoping for that again." - Thomas Moore
