Champion stature … Don Deeble Rising Star Ward winner Rachel Jarry. 66850 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Michael Esposito
AUSTRALIA’S top junior tennis player and a history-making under-19 Australian baseballer were worthy finalists, but no-one could deny the selection of prodigious basketballer Rachel Jarry as winner the coveted Don Deeble Rising Star award on Wednesday.
The Point Cook 19 year old won the $5000 prize ahead of Williamstown tennis player Andrew Whittington and Altona baseballer Sam Morris, who both received $2500 each. All prize-money was donated by Yarraville Club Cricket Club.
“It’s really great that we have an award to recognise athletes in the West and I’m not sure if too many other regions would have something like this,” Jarry said.
A judging panel consisting of Sunshine Western Region Sports Club and Star News Group members gave Jarry the nod after she was drafted at No. 18 to WNBA team Atlanta and traded to Minnesota Lynx. She was one of just two Australians who featured in the 2011 draft.
She was also the youngest player selected in the Australian Opals squad, with a chance to make the London Olympics team. Her selection came off the back of a stunning season with premiership winning WNBL team Bulleen Boomers.
Jarry has since been recovering from a knee injury, which she hopes to overcome before her schedule heats up again in August, when she will compete in the World Uni Games.
“It’s been frustrating, it all happened and then I can’t really be on court. But (the draft news) has sunk in now and I’m looking forward to the next few months,” she said.
Her next goal will be to make the Australian squad to play Olympic qualifying matches in September.
Jarry said she planned to head to the US after the London Olympics.
Fittingly, the guest speaker at the awards dinner was three-time Olympic silver medal winning Australian basketball Kristi Harrower. Ironically, Harrower is the oldest member of the Opals squad.
Harrower, 36, was also nursing a knee injury and has been in rehab with Jarry.
“I haven’t touched a ball since March so I’m bit worried, but I’m hoping to be back on court probably about the start of August, Harrower said.
If Harrower plays in Olympic qualifiers she will notch up her 200th game for Australia.
“It depends if my body holds up … and if my head is OK. When you get older motivation gets harder. If you want to do the hard work to get there, that’s what it’s more about,” Harrower said about her prospects of making the 2012 Olympics.
Harrower said that while she didn’t particularly enjoy the style of basketball in the US (she played for Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx), she believed Jarry could thrive in the environment because the young star was a scorer.
“It’s all about getting your numbers, getting your stats, getting your points, it’s not much of a team game,” she said.
“Some people do survive there. I’m not saying Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor are selfish, but they’re scorers, and that’s what makes them survive over there. In my position (point guard) you’re more of a team player.”
