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Junior Tall Blacks into FIBA U-19 quarters

  • NZ Sports Wire
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

The Junior Tall Blacks have advanced to the quarterfinals of a FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup for the first time.


Six players scored in double-digits as New Zealand withstood a third-quarter fightback to defeat China 99-86 in a Round of 16 knockout game in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time).


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Canterbury Rams guard Tama Isaac, who made his Tall Blacks debut earlier this year, led the way for the JTBs, with 18 points (6/18 FG, 3/8 3pt), six rebounds, eight assists and two steals in a team-high 36 minutes.


Nelson Giants guard Hayden Jones had 16 points (6/12 FG), nine boards and four assists, and Carter Hopoi 13 points (6/11 FG), eight rebounds and three assists.


Other to contribute including Jackson Ball (12 points, five boards, five assists and two blocks), Lachlan Crate (12 points), Julius Halaifonua (10 points and six rebounds), Troy Plumtree (eight points and seven boards) and Oscar Goodman (seven points and five rebounds).


Junior Tall Blacks at FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup
Carter Hopoi had 13 points, including this dunk, as the Junior Tall Blacks defeated China in the Round of 16. PHOTO: FIBA

After a fast start, the Junior Tall Blacks led 24-13 after the first period and by as many as 20 points midway through the second after a Xanda Marsters three.


Still up 15 at the main break, China came all the way back to tie it up at 72-72 with 43 seconds left in the third quarter. However, Crate hit a three at the buzzer and the JTBs outscored China 27-14 after being tied.


Next up, Matt Lacy's team will take on hosts Switzerland, who upset France 86-79 in their elimination game, on Friday (6am Saturday NZT).



A day earlier, the JTBs lost their final Group A game to Serbia 103-97 after allowing 38 points in the final quarter.


Ball top-scored with 19 points (6/16 FG, 4/12 3pt), while Isaac had 18 points (6/9 FG, 5/7 FT), five boards, eight assists and two steals, Plumtree 17 points (6/8 FG) and seven rebounds, and Crate 15 points (5/7 FG, 4/5 FT).


The core of the JTBs roster became the first New Zealand team to reach the semifinals of a world age-group tournament at last year's FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Turkey. They'll be looking to do the same in Lausanne this weekend.


JUNIOR TALL BLACKS RESULTS


Round of 16

Junior Tall Blacks 99 (Tama Isaac 18, Hayden Jones 16, Carter Hopoi 13, Jackson Ball 12, Lachlan Crate 12, Julius Halaifonua 10) China 86. 1Q: 24-13, HT: 52-37, 3Q: 77-72


Group A

Serbia 103 Junior Tall Blacks 97 (Jackson Ball 19, Tama Isaac 18, Troy Plumtree 17, Lachlan Crate 15). 1Q: 21-28, HT: 45-50, 3Q: 65-72

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