GB Under-18s Cruise Into Last Eight as Group Winners

Image credit: FIBA

Great Britain Under-18s booked their place in the Division B quarter-finals at the European Championships after easing past Albania 100-43 in Tallinn, Estonia on Wednesday.

Alan Keane’s side were assured of a place in the last eight with a win and advance as group winners as previously unbeaten Sweden fell to their first loss with the Netherlands taking second place.

Nathan Robinson top scored with a game-high of 18 points with four players finishing in double figures.

Kayne Henry added 16 points in 17 minutes, while Caleb Fuller had 12 points, Brian Amabilino 11 and Romario Spence hauled down 14 boards and Sesan Russell handed out eight assists.

Box score.

GB made their move early in the opening period with Henry capping a 12-0 run with the first three of the game before moving to 10 points. The defence stifled Albania, forcing multiple turnovers including eight-second violations and GB led 27-9.

Jacob Round checked in for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the second game and netted a three for an instant impact. Robinson knocked down consecutive 3-pointers as the GB lead continued to grow – heading into half-time up 48-25.

Henry started the second half with back-to-back threes of his own as GB scored the first 15 points of the third quarter. Albania were held scoreless for over five minutes before breaking their duck with a 5-0 run.

GB continued to dominate at both ends with Amabilino and Robinson maintaining the barrage from downtown as the lead soared towards the 50-point mark at 77-31.

The rout continued in the fourth with GB completing a comprehensive performance by taking the final period 23-12 for a 57-point winning margin with Kaiyem Cleary bringing up the century with a late dunk.

Notes

– GB’s starters were Russell, Savery-Richards, Henry, Boachie-Yiadom & Spence
– Hosana Kitenge was a DNP despite having been named amongst the initial starters by GB
– Jacob Round played 6:34 – his first action since an injury against the Netherlands
– GB top the group and avoid unbeaten Croatia in the last eight
– GB’s quarter-final will take place on Friday, scheduled for 11:45am UK time (TBC)

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