Sport in brief
BASKETBALL Glasgow Rocks duo Kieron Achara and Gareth Murray have been included in Great Britain’s final 12-man squad for the EuroBasket qualifiers that begin tomorrow with an away clash in Hungary, writes Mark Woods.
The Scottish pair avoided the last wave of cuts with young prospects Joe Hart, Fahro Alihodzic and Rob Gilchrist axed by head coach Joe Prunty ahead of the trip to Kecskemet.
“Joe, Robert, and Fahro worked extremely hard during their time in camp,” Prunty said. “We appreciate their efforts and know they are still a part of the programme moving forward.
“We have had a competitive preparation phase. We have developed very good chemistry and have a unified team ready to compete in our pool.”
The line-up also includes former Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon who is set for his competitive debut in the first of six qualification games in three weeks to reach next summer’s finals. GB, who failed to reach EuroBasket 2015, went winless in their build-up. HOCKEY Lee Morton, Patrick Christie, Duncan Riddell and Ed Greaves are included in Derek Forsyth’s Scotland squad for the World League round one tournament at Glasgow Green in a week’s time, writes Craig Madden.
Forsyth said: “The strength of the squad is the blend of experience and youth.
“There are a number of players playing in their first senior tournament, but they have proved over the summer that they are more than capable of competing at this level.”
The squad is bolstered by the return of Surbiton defender Willie Marshall and Cannock’s Russell Anderson, both were unavailable for the three test matches against Italy a week ago. The Scots are up against Wales, Switzerland, Slovakia and Portugal with the top two nations qualifying for the second round in Dublin early next year. ICE HOCKEY Braehead Clan were yesterday awaiting medical reports on two key imported players after their weekend double-header with COUNT ME IN: Kieron Achara Belfast Giants, writes Lorin McDougall.
Defenceman Kyle Wharton, who was once drafted by National Hockey League outfit, Columbus Blue Jackets, and former Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers forward Jay Rosehill have both received hospital check-ups.
Meanwhile, former Braehead star Rick Jackman was expected to arrive at Kirkcaldy yesterday to join his new teammates at Fife Flyers.
And Dundee Stars, who entertain Braehead on Thursday in a pre-season fixture, hosted an open training session yesterday to let fans see their new-look squad. SNOOKER John Higgins is still Scotland’s top player after retaining fifth place in yesterday’s new world rankings despite missing last weekend’s Paul Hunter Classic in Germany, writes Lorin McDougall. Indian Open winner Anthony McGill (18th) and world semi-finalist Alan McManus (25th) did make the trip to Furth, but Stephen Maguire (20th) and Graeme Dott (26th) also stayed away. All five are in Barnsley this week as they bid to qualify for next month’s Shanghai Masters. SQUASH World doubles champions Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban could go head-to-head in Shanghai tomorrow if both win their opening qualifying matches at the China Open later today, writes Lorin McDougall.
The Inverness duo must first beat Hong Kong’s Leo Au and Peruvian Diego Elias respectively to set up an all-Scottish final qualifier and guarantee a place for one of them in the main draw.