JTBs Win First Prep Game
Tagged in: FIBA U19 World Championship, Junior Tall Blacks
The New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks began their final preparations for the FIBA U19 World Championship with a 98-75 win over Egypt at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on Wednesday night.
Forward Richie Edwards, who joined the team from Florida eight days ago, top-scored with 22 points and added nine rebounds and three assists as the JTBs took advantage of a jet-lagged Egyptian squad for a 23-point win.
New Zealand head coach Kenny McFadden was satisfied with the first-up win for his national U19 team, who had not played together since early March.
“We played well at times but we’ve still got a lot of work on defensively. We’ve got to work on keeping them out of the paint, they got too much penetration.
“Our defence dictated it. The first five minutes set the tone.”
The JTBs scored the first 16 points of the game, including a pair of fast-break dunks that got the crowd of 1000 to their feet. Egypt answered with nine straight points as McFadden used his bench but the JTBs quickly regained control.
“Some combinations played extremely well and others we need to tweak it. We need to go back and watch the film and evaluate what worked for us in this game.
“I got everyone on court and was able to get everyone quality time, which was good … I wasn’t happy with the turnovers, especially in the first quarter and again in the fourth quarter, so we have to do that better.”
New Zealand captain Dion Prewster finished with 17 points, Porirua’s-own Brook Ruscoe added 16 points and centre Rob Loe had 11 points.
Amr El Gendy scored a game-high 30 points for Egypt, who arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday morning and were clearly still struggling with fatigue. Osama Shawey posted 17 points and Adham Essam 10 points.
“They would’ve felt just like we felt like last year when we went to Germany,” McFadden said. “And I’m sure this cold Wellington weather isn’t doing them any good either.
“They’ll rebound and play better tomorrow. I’m expecting a tougher game tomorrow.”
New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks 98 (Richie Edwards 22, Dion Prewster 17, Brook Ruscoe 16, Rob Loe 11) Egypt 75 (Amr El Gendy 30, Osama Shawey 17, Adham Essam 10)
1Q: 24-14
HT: 53-32 (29-18)
3Q: 77-51 (24-19)
FT: 98-75 (21-24)
