By JARROD POTTER
THE accolades keep coming for Keysborough Cougars Youth Men after guard Jamal Talo earned the Big V Youth Men 2 Golden Hands Award.
The Golden Hands – awarded to the basketball player who created the best average of most assists, most steals and least turnovers – went to Talo as his season record gave him a 5.7 per game average to lead the league.
His premiership-winning season with Keysborough only occurred after Talo received his marching orders from Casey Cavaliers at the start of the season – but a chance tryout at with the Cougars paid off and propelled him to the top of the averages in the division.
Talo shunned his critics to lead the league’s guards this year in assists (6.1 per game) and finish second for steals (2.9 per game).
“It’s a huge blessing,” Talo said.
“From being cut to winning a championship and to receive an award I’ve been fighting for all season is a huge blessing.
“I couldn’t have done it without the hard work of my team-mates – week in week out all 19 boys put 100 per cent effort and without them I wouldn’t be able to have as many assists as I did and this should be a team award!”
Talo’s coach Craig Smethurst said he felt at ease knowing Talo was on court and able to guide the offence and defence.
“As a coach you always feel more comfortable when you have someone on the floor who can lead your team,” Smethurst said.
“We play an offence where the guys have the freedom to be creative so to have someone steering the ship is a luxury for me.
“Jamal is always looking to get his team-mates involved many times sacrificing his own game, it is great to see him get some individual recognition as well.”
“It has been well documented that he was told his services were not needed elsewhere, well as a coach – and I know his team-mates feel the same – we couldn’t be happier to have him as part of our Championship winning family.”
Talo is also up for all-star five honours as a guard, defensive player of the year and rising star in the division to cap off his stellar year at Keysborough.
Other Keysborough Youth Men in line for honours are Matt Walker (all-star centre, MVP and defensive player), Ben Morwood (all-star forward) and Staci Richardson (all-star forward, defensive player, MVP).
