Basketball New Zealand

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A much improved defensive performance against France suggests the Junior Tall Blacks are on the right track as their preparation for next week’s Albert Schweitzer Tournament enters its final phase.

The U19 national men’s team fell 42-69 in the first of two outings against the French in Strasbourg, but coach Deslea Wrathall is happy with the progress since arriving in Greece five days ago.

“We achieved our first goal, which is keep a good international team under 70 points,” observes Wrathall. “We just snuck in there, so the boys played really well defensively.

“Now we’ve just got to learn to knock down more shots. We’re just missing too many open shots and easy layups”

The result, again, highlighted the difference in intensity between domestic competition and the standard of play on a regular basis to European basketball nations. Its better the youngsters are exposed to it now than when they are expected to step up into Tall Black ranks in future years.

“Everyone we are up against is bigger, but I think the big factor is the quickness of the game,” says Wrathall. “Players have a split second to make a decision and set themselves before the defence is on them.

“The offence is definitely working and we’re getting shots … it’s a matter of trusting their instincts to let the ball go.

“They need to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable.”

The young Kiwis face France again tonight before heading to Mannheim, Germany, for the AST, where they take on Italy in the tournament opener.

Junior Tall Blacks in Europe

Wednesday, March 31
Strasbourg, France
France 69 NZ Tall Blacks 42 (Chris Duthie 8, Stefan Mandic 7)
Q1 17-7
HT 30-16 (13-9)
Q3 57-31 (27-15)
FT 69-42 (12-11)