Tasmania’s U20 Men’s team have secured their first victory at the Foot Locker U20 Men’s National Tournament in Ballarat in a commanding performance defeating New South Wales 71-90 to clinch third place in their pool and book a quarter final matchup against South Australia.
From the opening tip-off at Selkirk Arena the energy was immense as Tasmania took to the court with determination.
The first quarter saw both teams locked in a competitive battle, but Tasmania managed to carve out a narrow three point lead heading into quarter time.
Then came the second quarter which was an explosive display of offensive firepower from beyond the arc which saw the Tasmanians pull away, building a commanding 14 point halftime lead.
With confidence soaring, Tasmania never looked back. They continued to dominate and dictated the game on both ends of the floor. Efficiency was pivotal as Tasmania shot lights out, particularly from beyond the arc with an astonishing 16 of 26 three point attempts which was a stark contrast to News South Wales’ struggles from deep, only managing 3 of 27.
At the heart of Tasmania’s success was Nash Walker, whose performance electrified the tournament. Walker was unstoppable as he torched the opposition with a blistering 28 point showcase, fueled by an incredible 9 of 13 shooting display from three point range.
Meanwhile, Jacob Furphy continued his stellar tournament campaign, once again proving to be a pillar for this Tasmanian team. Furphy contributed 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks, solidifying his status as the competition’s leading scorer with an average of 28.5 points per game.
Tasmania’s breakthrough win not only propels them to the next round with momentum but also cements them as a formidable presence that could be a dark-horse contender in the tournament.
With Walker’s sharpshooting and Furphy’s all-around brilliance, this squad is riding a wave of momentum as they set their sights on South Australia in the quarterfinals.
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