England U16s Relegated After Greece Loss

England under-16’s have been relegated to Division B after losing 77-52 to Greece in the battle for 13th at the European Championships, in Lithuania on Sunday.

Alan Keane’s side had beaten Greece earlier in the tournament but were unable to repeat their heroics from yesterday as they finish 14th in the final relegation spot.

Kaiyem Cleary top scored with 19 points while two players neared double-doubles as Jacob Iwowo added 8 points and 10 rebounds and Nelson Boachie-Yiadom finished with nine boards along with his seven points.

Jacob Round opened the scoring before Greece responded with the next seven to gain an early control. Six points from Cleary gave England the lead but it was Greece who edged in front at the end of the first with a slender 15-14 advantage.

Boachie-Yiadom scored five points at the start of the second to open his account before Iwowo and Cleary both connected from beyond the arc to put England up six at 25-19. Greece quickly levelled with two 3-pointers of their own and they would finish with the final six points to lead 36-29 at the half.

Greece controlled the third quarter, extending their lead by 14 points without reply before Iwowo finally ended England’s drought inside the final minute with a pair of free throws. However, the damage had been done and Greece would take a commanding 51-31 lead into the fourth.

The lead grew to 29 points as Greek started the final quarter with a 9-0 burst. England continued to battle with a 9-2 response before Greece all but confirmed the result with the next seven. Cleary scored four late on to take his tally to 19 as England suffered a 25-point defeat.

Box score.

The under-16’s make an immediate return to Division B, where they will compete next summer.

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