GB Men crowned Continental Clash Champions! – BWB Communications Volunteer Dylan Cummings reports.

GB vs. Canada on BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06d2bvz/wheelchair-basketball-2018-continental-clash-2018-gb-v-canada

Day 5 saw the 2018 Continental Clash come to a close. First off was a game between the Netherlands and Japan. The game was close throughout as each quarter the lead switched around. Netherlands’ Mustafa Korkmaz was top scorer with 25 points followed by Japan’s Hiroaki Kozai with 18 points personal. Towards the end of the fourth it was the Dutch who got the 61-57 win.

The next game featured action between Poland and Spain. The Spanish side ensured they had a lead by the end of the first. Pablo Zarzuela and David Mouriz were joint top scorers for Spain with 14 points each followed by a supporting cast of Agustin Alejos (13pts) and Jordi Ruiz (10pts.) The depth of scoring was too much for Poland to handle despite good effort from Dominik Mosler with 17 points. Spain took the victory 68-52.

To close out Continental Clash was an electric game between GB and Canada being streamed live on BBC Sport Online. The encounter allowed viewers to see young talent like Gregg Warburton and Phil Pratt clash with legends of the sport like Patrick Anderson. GB got off to a great start as Gregg Warburton and George Bates contributed to GB’s 24-10 first quarter lead. In the second quarter Gregg Warburton was consistent with his shooting spree whilst Lee Manning came on and used his height to rip the rebounds for GB. During the third and fourth quarters Terry Bywater was subbed in and used his experience to rack up points in quick succession. Warburton finished as top scorer for GB with 20 points whilst Canada’s Patrick Anderson had 31 points. GB became Continental Clash Champions securing a 78-57 victory.

All-Star 5:

Daniel Stixx (1.5, Spain)

Gregg Warburton (2.0, GB)

Takauya Furusawa (3.0, Japan)

Phil Pratt (3.0, GB)

Patrick Anderson (4.5, Canada)