Basketball New Zealand

Vilagarcia Basket Cup

The New Zealand U18 men opened the Vilagarcia Basket Cup in Spain with an 82-45 loss to the Czech Republic on Thursday.

With captain Canterbury’s Ethan Rusbatch leading the way, top-scoring with nine points and 12 rebounds, the Kiwis kept the game within reach in the first half before a sub-par third period saw the Czechs pull away in Vilagarcia de Arousa.

Nelson’s Chris Duthie finished with eight points and three steals, as did shooting guard Rusbatch, while point guard Stefan Mandic had seven points and Hyrum Hippolite three assists.

The NZ U18s trailed 18-9 after the first quarter and were still hanging around at the major break, the second period close at 14-11.

Coach Deslea Wrathall said the team went away from the game plan offensively and gave up easy baskets at the other end as the Czechs romped to a 26-7 third quarter to put the game away.

“Where these guys are going, they’re going to be our Junior Tall Blacks next year, so this is good for them,” Wrathall said.

“It’s a learning experience for them and as long as they keep getting better, that’s what we want . . . we’re the bottom of the age-group here, so the other teams are a year older than us, at least.”

New Zealand shot 44 percent from the field on 14-of-32 shooting, while the taller Czechs hit on 52 percent of their shots and also forced the Kiwis into 26 turnovers.

New Zealand meet France in their second group B game on Saturday (2am NZ time), before their final pool game against Italy on Sunday (1am NZ time).

Vilagarcia Basket Cup

Thursday, April 9

Czech Republic 82 New Zealand 45 (Ethan Rusbatch 9, Chris Duthie 8, Stefan Mandic 7)
1Q: 18-9
HT: 32-20 (14-11)
3Q: 58-27 (26-7)
FT: 82-45 (24-18)