Jacob Furphy wins another basketball award, Jack Welch aims for Kookaburras squad

Tasmanian basketball sensation Jacob Furphy has received another honour at a national event while a state hockey star is eyeing a place in the Australian side. It’s all in Sport Shorts.

Jacob Furphy was named defensive player of the tournament. Photo: Basketball Australia.

Tasmanians are continuing to make their mark on the sporting world.

Keep up to date with all the achievements in The Mercury’s Sport Shorts.

ANOTHER HONOUR FOR FURPHY

Jacob Furphy capped off his brilliant run at the Under-20 National Basketball Championships after he was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament.

The Smithton product capped off a stunning tournament finishing with 24.33 points, 8.33 rebounds, 3.67 assists and 1.83 steals in the six games which he played in Ballarat.

Furphy, was has committed to US college basketball giant the University of Connecticut, made headlines earlier in the tournament for his huge offensive output.

He told this masthead in Ballarat he was focusing on his guard play with his versatile talent making it difficult to pigeonhole him.

“I think I’ve definitely improved,” he said.

“Twelve months ago I was in the process of transitioning to a guard and I think I’ve done that pretty well.

“I’ve opened up my shooting ability and my pick and roll reads.

“I’ve gotten better at my defence, but that’s something that I still really want to get to a higher level.”

WELCH FIGHTING FOR AUSSIE PLACE

— Adam Clifford

The Kookaburras will embark on a new era and Tasmanian forward Jack Welch is fighting to earn his place in coach Mark Hager’s squad when the FIH Pro League kicks off in Sydney this week.

With a number of players rested following Hockey India League exploits, including Tasmanian Hayden Beltz who claimed the title with Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Welch has a massive opportunity to show his wares.

The 27-year old’s international career is at the crossroads after 39 appearances and 17 goals, but few opportunities at major tournaments and being left out Hager’s preliminary list of 17 athletes last month.

Welch will push for one of the additional seven spots to be added in March and is joined in the squad by Tassie Tigers skipper Josh Beltz for four matches against the Netherlands and Spain.

“The series is going to be a good test for our new, young group, going up against the Olympic champions the Netherlands and Spain, who are a quality side,” Welch said.

“I am one of the more experienced players in the group at the moment so I’ll have a big role to play and will need to perform at my best to have the best chance of getting into the final 24-man national squad.”

Jack Welch is aiming for a place in the Australian team. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

With Australia set to begin their campaign against Olympic semi-finalists Spain on Wednesday, followed by the Netherlands on Thursday (both at 5:30pm), Welch revealed Beltz will not feature until later in the competition.

“Josh has had a small quad injury and is expected to play the end of the series,” he said.

“He’s one of the more experienced senior players and will have a big role to play as a leader, because he’s a composed and intelligent player and possesses all the qualities of a great leader.”

It is understood that Beltz will feature in a new-look, four-man leadership group for the series as Hager explores players respective leadership qualities before choosing the new team captain next month.

The Hockeyroos will also feature in the double headers with matches against Spain (Wednesday, 7.30pm) and Olympic silver medallists China (Thursday, 7.30pm), with Maddi Brooks setting herself for a bigger midfield role.

Rachel Trenaman top scored with 80 not out in Tasmania’s WNCL win on Monday. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

WNCL: SPIN TWINS STAR AS TRENAMAN CONTINUES DREAM RETURN

Spin twins Lauren Smith and Maisy Gibson ensured Tasmania Tigers annihilated ACT for the second time in three days at Hobart on Monday, and keep their slim WNCL finals hopes alive.

Their quest for a fourth straight title is on the brink, but Smith (3-28) and Gibson (3-39) ensured the hosts skittled ACT for 153. It allowed the Tigers to keep their head above water with another bonus point, eight-wicket victory with over 20 overs to spare.

Middle order batter Shivani Mehta (52) ensured the Meteors bowlers had something to work with.

Tasmania is now third on the ladder with a 5-5 record, with the competition playing a straight final, but have played more games than every side around them on the table.

After making 63 in her return from a two-year injury layoff against the Meteors on Saturday, opener Rachel Trenaman again starred with 80 not out off 96 balls.

Tasmania spinners Maisy Gibson and Lauren Smith starred in Monday’s WNCL win. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“That was what we wanted from this games, to show we’re still in it and still fighting,” Gibson said.

“In AFL they talk about playing three quarters of footy, and it feels like we’ve been doing the same. It’s good to string together two dominant performances.”

After Saturday’s match, 23-year-old Trenaman revealed rehabilitating back-to-back ACL ruptures which cost her two season “nearly broke” her, and she considered quitting the game.

“To see just a little snippet of her rehab, it’s unbelievable to see her come back,” Gibson said. “I think she’s played five games of cricket in total (since returning) and scored 50-plus in four of them.

“She’s full of confidence and it’s so great to see, knowing how much work goes into ACL rehab.”

The Tigers have two more regular season matches remaining at home against Victoria on February 19 and 21. They must win both and have others results go their way to be a top two chance.

Tasmania’s men take on NSW in a One Day Cup clash at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Tasmania all-rounder Beau Webster capped a month to remember after he was named the men’s domestic player of the year.

In the voting period, Webster scored 1087 runs at 47.26 across first class and List A cricket for Tasmania, the second highest of any player, as well as 43 wickets at 23.27.

It followed him being named the Sheffield Shield player of the year in 2023-24. His form resulted in his Test debut in the final match of the series against India in Sydney, where he played a vital role in the hosts regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“It’s a proud moment being a peer voted award, so it’s nice to get the votes from the boys around the country,” Webster, who will also return to Hobart Hurricanes next season, said.

“The more you play, the more you learn and I’ve played 90-plus first class games and now I’m really settled into a clear role. The amount of first class games I’ve played has definitely held me in good stead and I’ll keep playing for Tasmania as often as I can.

“It’s a great vibe in Tasmania, we’ve got a great group and played a lot of cricket together and that’s definitely been a factor in performances I’ve been able to put in.”

Maisy Gibson and Nicola Carey of the Tigers celebrate the wicket of Rachel Carroll of the Meteors. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)