Basketball: Tassie stuns Vic Metro in historic under-18 champs upset

Tasmania coach Tony Webb branded his team’s upset of Vic Metro at the under-18 national basketball titles on Thursday as “the best ever”. Read how our girls pulled off the upset without their injured skipper and Australia representative.

Nikki Parker chats with Tasmania coach Tony Webb. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw

Experienced coach Tony Webb has branded Tasmania’s historic under-18 national championships victory over Victoria Metro as “the best win ever”.

Up against the traditional heavyweights without injured captain and under-17 Australia representative Lucy Aherne, the 63-58 win is the first time a Tasmania girls team has defeated Vic Metro at the championships.

Aherne rolled her ankle and damaged ligaments during the half-time warm up of Wednesday’s 79-48 win over Queensland North, and has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

It was left to ‘big’ Andie Smith (16 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, two blocks, three assists) to lead the way in an even contribution across the squad.

Tasmania led by as many as 15 late in the first half and Chloe Broomhall (ten points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals), Nikki Parker (15 points, seven rebounds) and Portia Chopping (five points, six assists) were also influential.

Andie Smith was superb for Tasmania in their under-18 national championships upset of Vic Metro. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw

Asked where he ranked the win in his career, Devonport senior women’s coach Webb said: “It’s the best win ever. I hold it up pretty high in my coaching career.

“I don’t think they were expecting this Tasmanian team to do what they did. They (Vic Metro) were standing in the corridor watching Lucy walk in on sticks.

“I’m not saying they took it easy, but we were ready from the outset and did what we needed to do.

“We had good ball movement and structures, we outrebounded a taller team. We did the little things well.

“I’ve always been a believer we’re an even team and that’s the beauty of us, and not having to rely on Lucy.”

The team will now head to the quarter finals after winning three games thus far.

Tasmania’s men are also through to the final eight after three victories of their own against NSW Country, Queensland South and WA Country.