JTBs Close Build-Up With Win
Tagged in: FIBA U19 World Championship, Junior Tall Blacks
New Zealand’s Junior Tall Blacks completed their preparations for the FIBA U19 World Championship in Auckland, starting Thursday, with a 10-point win over Syria on Tuesday.
With less than 48 hours until the JTBs open the country’s first appearance at a FIBA U19 tournament against Argentina, tip-off 8.30pm on Thursday, New Zealand defeated Asian bronze medalists Syria 69-59 at the Breakers Gym on Auckland’s North Shore.
New Zealand led by more than 20 points at one stage, allowing head coach Kenny McFadden to empty his bench, giving all 12 players valuable playing time.
In the game, New Zealand faced Syrian centre Abd Al Wahab Al Hamowi, the tallest player at the tournament at 2.18m (7ft 2in), and effectively limited his impact on offence.
“It went pretty good. One of our missions in that game was to see how we defended the big guy, their seven-foot-six guy, and I think we did a pretty good job of that,” McFadden said.
“It also gave us a chance to get out and run and to work on some of our combinations that we’re going to use against Argentina. And it gave us a chance to give all 12 players a run. It was great to get back on the winning track in our last game.”
New Zealand 69 Syria 59
