GB Juniors progress to the semi finals of the European Junior Championships
GB Juniors played a very inexperienced Spanish team in the quarter finals of the European Championships today and won 66 – 12.
All the teams that have played Spain so far had pressed them and had comfortable wins. Great Britain’s intention going into the game was not to press and play the high line defence only and look to pick players out in the back court, but to run quick transition offence.
Great Britain started with a different line up from previous matches, with Terry Yates, Kyle Marsh, Jordan Bright, Helen Freeman and Laurie Williams taking to the court. After a slow start, GB began to convert on the break with all the starters scoring, including Kyle Marsh with 8 points. GB finished the quarter 16 – 2
GB changed its line ups playing the same way as the first quarter and looking to score on the break or quick transition. Spain’s inexperience and lack of depth in the team was shown with GB scoring easily inside and allowing Lee Manning to make 6 of GB’s 18 – 5 points for the quarter, going in at the half 34 - 7.
At various stages in the game, Emmanuel Filson and Billy Bridge were introduced and both played the whole of the last quarter. In the third quarter, with various line up changes, GB went 13 – 4 with Harry Brown scoring 6 points on the break. GB led the game 47 – 11.
The final quarter saw Emmanuel Filson to go 5/6 off pick and roll lay ups, missing one ‘& 1’ off a foul scoring 4 baskets in a row for his 10 points. Jordan Bright scored 5 of his 9 points in this quarter including 3/4 free throws. The quarter ended 19 – 1.
Other key scorers were Kyle Marsh with 11 points and Harry Brown 10 points. This was a comfortable win and everyone played good minutes.
GB shot at 57% with Spain at 9%