The final game for Great Britain of a very long tournament was against pre-tournament favourite Poland. It’s been long tournament. Great Britain lost and finished sixth, equalling their best ever finish in Austria in 2010, with a team that featured, among others, Ovie Soko, Andrew Lawrence, Will Neighbour, Myles Hesson, Will Hall, big brother Nigel van Oostrum, and Jamell Anderson.
Great Britain also had the honour of having a member in the all star tournament five, Devon, voted best point guard of the tournament. Devon finished the tournament first in assists (6.4), in fouls drawn (over 9 per game), fourth in scoring, 19.6 (behind Ali who finished 3rd, with 19.7).
These are fantastic achievements for GB U20s; everyone is disappointed to have narrowly missed out on promotion, but the current results do hold up very nicely. I will write a reflection on the tournament experience once I’m back home in Sheffield again, but for now this game.
In the first half, Great Britain held their own well, very well even. Poland went up 12-4 and GB struggled with only points from Ali, but tried to work its defensive intensity. Jesse hit a great three at the end of the quarter, which finished 23-14 Poland. Devon, Grant, and Ali got going in the second quarter, closing to 34-30, but then the Poles hit back to take a 10-point lead at the half.
What came next is difficult to write and fathom. The lead steadily increased to 20 but the manner in which was worrying. I honestly feel—and this is why it’s a blog, not ‘objective journalism’ so this is the subjectivity of a parent and please see that as context of this—that what in reality was a 15-point game difference between Great Britain and Poland became a 30-point one.
And here I’ve censored myself and erased what I wrote. Maybe later.
Luckily, there was plenty to cheer about for the players and as GB crowd, we hope they can reflect on their successes in future. They beat eventual winners Croatia in a true shock, and had Devon and Ali up in the statistical echelons of the tournament.
Again, they equalled GB U20s best ever result and a significant number of the players are also eligible for next year. There was also plenty of support from them from the team and from GB management—director Roger Moreland was there the last couple of day to support the GB U20s, missing out of the Golf Open because of it (well, is Golf a sport, really, anyway?).
They were so close to qualifying and that will haunt everyone for a while. I’ll try to write a bit about that in the reflection piece.
Scores, etc.
Ali, 14p, 4 reb, 20 min. Reduced time because of the ankle injury.
Devon, 13p, 6 reb, 5 assists, 8 fouls drawn, 29min.
Jesse, 8p (one monster dunk), 11 rebounds, 31 min.
Grant, 9p, 4 reb, 14min. Grant’s really impressed with his overall pick and roll game and ability to hit the mid-range jumper.
Josh, 4p, 14min
Louis, 3p, 4 reb. 17min
Rema, 2p (lovely reverse lay-in in traffic), 8min.
Connor, 3 assists, 28min.
Joe, 7 reb, 14min.
John, 2 reb, 13 min
Zac, 1 reb, 2min
Lee, 1 reb, 2min.
Everyone’s now getting ready for departure back to their homes, and maybe ready for holidays, after a long and grinding tournament. Hope all those who know the players give them a heartfelt welcome and expression of gratitude to service to national team basketball.
Duco.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
As a coach and parent involved in Club and International Basketball for over 40 years there are many issues with this team right from the trial stage to competition. 6th is a poor result for the talent pool available. There are clearly many reasons for this – coaching, players, preparation, management. I will be taking these issues forward in a formal manner to Scotland’s Governing body and demanding answers from British Basketball- I don’t expect to get anywhere but will have the satisfaction of bringing major issues into the open. This type of forum is not where the actual failings that run through British Basketball can be taken forward.
What International team tells players they will not play – take players to a major competition that were injured and be pretty clueless year after year about how to actually win International matches – this team managed to do all that and more.
Duco – appreciate you are a nice guy and you have given a positive look at this competition but like you I know of many issues here that do not show a professionalism , fairness or competence. I will not stand by and allow these matters to go without investigation. By the way golf is a sport ( was nearly in Sofia but when I see what has happened was glad I was at Lytham) .If members of British Basketball addressed their sport the way professional golfers do maybe we would have more success.
Definition of “sport” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport#Definition !!
No question that there has been a lot going on behind the scenes that may well have had an effect on players, performance, and, therefore, result.
These factors have been in-built to the sport for so many years and it would seem most unlikely that these will ever change.
Can always hope.
Why the allusions? Aren’t forums like this the place to discuss with the wider basketball community who are not privy to what’s go on behind the scenes or otherwise? We are all here not just to be critical, but discuss solutions. Having said that, I would have a hard time believing that the coaching is to blame for whatever shortcomings occurred. Dave Smart is an excellent coach, with a great record and reputation and I think the program was lucky to have him.
A good coach is or should be a good motivator and a person who has complete respect for his players.
Also essential is that the players have respect for the coach and want to play for him as well as for the country they represent.
An excellent coach with a good record? In Canada perhaps.
In Canada “perhaps?” Do some research and then comment.
Dave Smart has certainly had a lot of success in Canada.
Basketball in England and GB is who you know not what you know… It’s not the coach but the system we are in. I think we no the symptoms but can’t find a cure! It will never change unless we look at other sports in the UK and follow there successful route and obtain Funding.