England U16’s Defeat Hungary in Penultimate Prep Game

By Bradley Gains on August 14, 2014

England under-16’s continued their winning run ahead of this month’s European Championships with a hard-fought 72-70 win against Hungary on Wednesday.

Alan Keane’s side overturned a half-time deficit to get another victory in their penultimate preparation game. And the head-coach was delighted with the character of his players.

“We proved that we can compete with the most physical of teams and grind out a win in a very challenging environment,” Keane commented. “This was the challenge we needed heading into the Euros.”

Luke Mitchell top scored with 18 points while Carl Wheatle added 15 points having recovered from an ankle knock sustained last week. Rayell Eytle-Rock and Nelson Boachie-Yiadom both contributed 9 points each.

England made a solid start and opened up a 26-19 advantage at the end of the first before being pegged back by the hosts as Hungary took the second 20-10 to lead by three at the break, up 39-36. In the third, England regained the initiative and earned a slender 55-54 hold to take into the final quarter.

A tense finish ensued as the teams traded baskets but it was England who held their nerve when it mattered most and made some important free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

They will play Hungary again on Thursday night and attempt to win the series.

England’s first game of their Division B campaign pits them against Scotland on August 20th with Luxembourg, Belgium, Romania and Estonia making up the rest of Group A.

Image credit: @CoachKeane14

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