GB Under-16s Power into the Semi-Finals

Image credit: FIBA

Great Britain Under-16s advanced to the last four at the European Championships with a convincing 85-54 victory over Hungary in the quarter-finals in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Thursday.

James Vear’s side moved through the group phase 5-0 and remain unbeaten as they move to within a win of achieving promotion to Division A.

Chris Feeney top scored with a 17-point haul, while Mate Okros added 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the win.

Also in double figures were Eric Donaldson and Tomiwa Sulaiman with 14 points apiece.

Box score.

Hungary started with a three for the opening score, but GB quickly asserted their control on the game with a 19-2 run capped by back-to-back triples from Chris Feeney.

GB’s 14-point advantage was cut in half to seven at 23-16 at the 10-minute mark before they quickly restored a double-digit cushion early in the second.

Okros’ triple sparked a 7-0 burst and GB took a 44-30 lead into the half-time break with Feeney into double figures with 11 points.

GB pushed further clear with a strong finish to the third with David Chive and Eric Donaldson coming up with big scores to help stretch the lead out to 18 at 62-44.

There was no letting up in the fourth with a 9-2 start putting GB up by 25 at 71-46 before Sulaiman turned on the style with a dunk through the middle. GB rounded out the win to set up a semi-final showdown with Greece.

Notes

– GB’s starters were Norton-Cuffy, Shodunke, Okros, Sulaiman & Hughes
– All three GB junior men’s sides have now reached a semi-final this summer
– Pandza DNP having suffered an injury in the last eight encounter
– GB set to face Greece at 4:15pm UK time tomorrow

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