GB U20s Dispatch of Holland, Move to 4-0 in Warmups

Levi Noel directing traffic for the GB U20s

The Great Britain Under-20s continued their preparation for the Division B European Championships this summer with two more wins, as they dispatched of Holland twice over the weekend at the Filton/WISE campus, Bristol.

On Friday evening, the GB U20s comfortably got past the Dutch side, winning 98-80. Devon Van Oostrum was unstoppable for GB, finishing with 25 points, Ryan Richards added 18 points, Levi Noel finished with 10, Will Hall 9, and Ali Mackay and Jeff Dirkin had 6 points a piece.

The team had a little more trouble on Saturday, but eventually came away with a 60-55 victory. Ryan Richards finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, Van Oostrum filled the stat sheet with 9 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 5 steals, though showed frustration at times as the Dutch honed in on him after his performance the night before.

Head Coach Tim Lewis with pleased with his team’s performance:

“It was a solid performance, and a good team effort. We need that because the Dutch were greatly improved from the previous night and produced a fighting performance.”

The squad will now return to training camp before taking on Denmark on the 3rd July.

Notes

• GB starters on Saturday Levi Noel, Adam Thoseby, Will Saunders, Will Hall, Ryan Richards. On Sunday-Ryan Richards, Lee Reilly, Lee Goldsbrough, John Bantock, and Adam Thoseby. Multiple rotations were ran throughout the two games, so wouldn’t read too much into it…
• Alasdair Fraser sat out both games with an injury (ankle) but is expected to be recovered for next camp. Lee Reilly sat out on Saturday. Lee Goldsbrough was absent on Saturday.  Will Saunders registered a DNP on Sunday after suffering a head injury in the previous game, whilst Jack Thompson also sat in the second game. Alex Marcotullio has still not joined the team.
• Nobody could stay in front of Devon on Friday. Far too quick and athletic for any of the Dutch, not only did he get to basket at will, but was hitting jumpshots and making some nice dishes, including a ridiculous no look bullet pass to Harrison Gamble in the opening quarter.
• Referees were calling everything on Friday, very difficult for both teams to get in any sort of flow. Were also weak on Saturday so I’m told…
• Despite winning comfortably on Friday, there were only a few stretches where the team showed it’s true potential. If (and a big if) the team plays to it’s potential, promotion to Division A is a very realistic goal. The team lacked intensity at times and were dominated on the glass, but with multiple rotations throughout the game (I assume so Coach Lewis could look at fringe players) the performance was not a true reflection of the final squad going to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
• Ryan Richards is going to be a matchup nightmare for every team. If he gets the ball on the block, it’s either a basket or a foul, he’s simply too powerful and strong. Forced it a little bit at times on Friday, which he seemed to be aware of, but when he plays within himself he’s a monster.
• Will Hall was impressive for me. Plays very smart, and has great vision for a guy his size. Hall, Devon and Ryan make a very nice trio.

How do you think the team is coming together? Potential starting 5? Drop a comment!