Southern Tigers forward CJ Turnage wins 2019 Premier League basketball Woollacott Medal
Last year he lost SA basketball’s Woollacott Medal by a single vote. So when it was announced the 2019 award had been decided by the same margin, CJ Turnage was thinking “not again”.
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When master of ceremonies Jarrod Walsh announced to the room on Sunday night the Woollacott Medal had been decided by just one vote, CJ Turnage was thinking “not again”.
But the Southern Tigers’ American star, who lost to North Adelaide’s Alex Starling by the same slim margin in 2018, was this time on the other side of the result.
Turnage claimed Premier League basketball’s men’s best and fairest one vote ahead of Mount Gambier’s Kentrell Barkley to cap a stunning individual season.
The win marked the end of a journey which began after last season’s heartbreak.
Turnage recommitted to the Tigers for 2019, returned to Australia early, dropped 10kgs and was driven to go one better this season.
The 23-year-old Detroit native says he is a better player now than a year ago.
“Last year I feel like I got my hopes up because I was surprised I was even being talked about, so I was kind of hurt when I didn’t get it,” says Turnage, a key member of Southern’s title-winning team in 2018.
“I made it an individual goal of mine to win the Woollacott because I came so close last year.
“It wasn’t just me, I had so much help.
“I came back to Australia super early, in November, I went on a diet and lost 10kgs and worked on my jump shot. I just tried to become a better player.”
Turnage has averaged 28.2 points, 10 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this season and led the league in scoring.
He was also selected in the men’s all-star five and named the competition’s most valuable player.
The forward was forced to shoulder more responsibility this year after fellow import Greg Mays departed for Forestville in the off-season, his replacement Devin Gilligan did not play until June and star Anthony Drmic went down with injury in April.
Turnage has played a pivotal role in guiding Southern to a 14-6 record as the Tigers prepare to host Norwood in an elimination final at Morphett Vale this Saturday night.
The Woollacott Medallist believes his side “can hang” with any team in the league as it attempts to defend its title.
HALLS WOOLLACOTT AWARD WINNERS
MEN’S
■ Woollacott Medal: CJ Turnage (Southern Tigers)
■ Frank Angove Medal: Michael Harris (Forestville)
■ MVP: CJ Turnage (Southern Tigers)
■ Best Defensive Player: Alex Starling (North Adelaide)
■ All-Star Five: Tom Daly (Mount Gambier), CJ Turnage (Southern Tigers), Kentrell Barkley (Mount Gambier), Jack McVeigh (North Adelaide), Greg Mays (Forestville)
WOMEN’S
■ Halls Medal: Carmen Tyson-Thomas (Eastern Mavericks)
■ Merv Harris Medal: Jasmin Fejo (West Adelaide)
■ MVP: Teige Morrell (Woodville)
■ Best Defensive Player: Tess Bruffey (Norwood)
■ All-Star Five: Teige Morrell (Woodville), Amanda Frost (Mount Gambier), Carmen Tyson-Thomas (Eastern Mavericks), Pachiyaanna Roberts (Mount Gambier), Jasmin Fejo (West Adelaide)
