England U18s Edge Out Netherlands for Second Narrow Win

England Under-18’s recorded their second win in as many days against the Netherlands after edging towards a 56-54 victory, last night.

Steve Bucknall’s side go 2-0 up in the series ahead of the final game this morning (Friday) as they continue their preparations ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

Brian Amabilino top scored with nine points in another balanced attack from England with supporting trio Zion Tordoff, Luke Mitchell and Josh Apple all adding eight points apiece.

It was the home side who enjoyed the stronger start and a trio of triples in the opening period helped them move into a 17-10 advantage having led by as many as 11 points at one stage.

England used a 13-2 run across the quarter breaks to tie the game with Josh Apple scoring six consecutive points during the bright spell for the visitors. Amabilino pushed his side ahead late into the half with England conceding just three points in the period as they took a 23-20 lead into half-time.

The teams traded baskets early in the third and it was Dan Akin’s turn to score three baskets in a row as England led by as many as five, but found themselves heading into the fourth level at 37-37.

Tordoff started the fourth with the opening four points in a 6-0 run to hand England the initiative although the lead would change hands throughout the final 10 minutes.

Amabilino netted England’s first three only for the hosts to answer straight back with the game moving into the final minute tied at 52-52 before Game 1 hero RJ Eytle-Rock edged his side ahead for the final time with a three-point play and Mitchell split a pair of free throws which was enough for the win.

England U18s conclude their series with their third game against the Netherlands this morning.

Do you like our work?

We have a tiny favour to ask. In 2018 we set out to make Hoopsfix sustainable by building our relationship directly with our readers. Up until now, Hoopsfix has been creating editorials, videos and podcasts to provide sorely missing coverage of the British game and its distinct culture and community.

We have funded Hoopsfix with our freelance work creating basketball media, but sadly that means not only does it fall behind our client’s priorities, but some of those clients are the same organisations we need to report objectively on putting us in a conflicted position.

We want to devote more time to our mission of helping British basketball reach its potential, and produce even more content for the basketball community by making Hoopsfix a sustainable 100% independent business funded directly by our readers through Patreon.

If everyone who enjoys our content chose to support us, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $3 per month, you can support Hoopsfix – and it only takes a minute.

We are tremendously honoured and humbled to have a community of people who value what we do, and we look forward to being at the forefront of the British game as it continues to evolve.

Support Hoopsfix