New Zealand U17 Men were heavily beaten 145-65 by defending champions – and tournament favourites – USA at the FIBA U17 World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday.
Despite the defeat, New Zealand still have the opportunity to write another page in the history books when they face host nation Turkey, the team they beat in the opening game of the tournament, in the bronze medal game at 2am on Monday morning (NZT).
The match-up with the USA was billed as David versus Goliath – the underdogs playing in their first FIBA age group semi-final against the favourites boasting a 49-0 record at FIBA U17 championships.
In the end the overall firepower, athleticism and at times brilliance of the six-time champions was too much for New Zealand to handle.
The USA defensive pressure created 27 steals enabling them to score 57 points off turnovers and the rebounding count was also heavily in favour of the Americans (57-32).
Despite entering the game as the second best 2-point shooting team at the tournament, New Zealand were kept to 44% (20/46) in this contest and 21% (6/28) from long range. In comparison the USA were 38% (6/16) from threes and 66% (56/85) from inside the arc.
Troy Plumtree scored 12 points on 5-8 shooting and Lachlan Crate also scored 12 to joint-lead the New Zealand scoring, in a contest where all twelve Kiwis got on the scoresheet.
A Plumtree triple opened the New Zealand scoring and when a trademark Oscar Goodman dunk followed the Kiwis trailed 8-5. However the Americans would peel off the next 12 points before a Jackson Kiss score. Goodman, Kiss and Hunter Te Ratana made baskets but the USA offensive potency was looking ominous as they surged to a 34-13 quarter time lead.
New Zealand enjoyed their most productive scoring spell in the second period. A Mana Martin jumper, Gus Dallow free-throws and Jameer Reed triple enabled New Zealand to keep pace with America through the early stages of the quarter.
However, despite a second Plumtree triple, a James Matthews And-1 play and a Te Ratana make the USA lead had blown out to 69-34 at half-time. In spite of the Kiwis best endeavours the red, white and blue tide continued to sweep over them in the second half as the lead continued to mount.
New Zealand must now pick themselves up for Monday’s medal game.
Already the first-ever New Zealand team to make it to the semi-finals of a FIBA age-group World Cup the U17’s have also emulated the achievement of the Tall Blacks team that reached the semi-finals at the 2002 FIBA World Championships at Indianapolis.
The Tall Blacks senior men’s group finished fourth overall with the U17’s now looking to go one better and become the first team to medal at a World Cup.
To do that they will have to overcome host nation Turkey. Their 90-63 loss to Italy in the other semi-final sets up a repeat of the opening game of the tournament – one won 114-94 by New Zealand. The bronze medal game is scheduled for 2.00am (NZT) on Monday July 8.
Stats:
New Zealand – Plumtree 12 PTS | Crate 12 PTS | Goodman 6 PTS | Kiss 6 PTS, 3 REBS & 3 STEALS | Te Ratana 6 PTS | Reed 4 PTS | Ball 4 PTS | Martin 4 PTS | Jones 3 PTS & 6 REBS | Cate 3 PTS |Matthews 3 PTS | Dallow 2 PTS
USA 145 – B McCoy 19, K Peat 19
Quarter Scores: 13-34, 21-35, 13-35,18-41
FIBA U7 Men’s World Cup – New Zealand Schedule and Results
NZL v Turkey – WON 114-94
NZL v Argentina – WON 89-81
NZL v Italy – LOST 95-69
NZL v Egypt – WON 85-64
NZL v LITHUANIA – WON 73-65
NZL v USA – LOST 145-65
NZL v Turkey in bronze medal game – 2.00am NZT, Monday July 8
NZ Men’s U17 Squad at FIBA U17 World Cup
Jackson Ball, Basketball Hawkes Bay/ Hawkes Bay Hawks
Ihaka Cate, Canterbury Basketball Association/ Canterbury Rams
Lachlan Crate, Basketball Manawatu / Manawatu Jets
Gus Dallow, Harbour Basketball Association / Auckland Tuatara
Oscar Goodman, Basketball Taranaki / NBA Global Academy
Hayden Jones, Nelson Basketball Association / Nelson Giants
Jackson Kiss, Basketball Auckland / Auckland Tuatara
Mana Martin, Canterbury Basketball Association/ Canterbury Rams
James Matthews, Nelson Basketball Association / Nelson Giants
Troy Plumtree, Wellington Basketball Association /Wellington Saints
Jameer Reed, Harbour Basketball Association / Auckland Tuatara
Hunter Te Ratana, Waitakere West Auckland Basketball / Auckland Tuatara
