By Geraint Evans

 

After numerous fundraising events and a series of warm-up games the Welsh U17 basketball men’s squad finally travelled over to Ireland last weekend to play a series of three friendly Test matches against the Irish U15s at Gormanston College.

 

Game 1.

 

It was an early 3am start on the journey over to Ireland so coach Stansfield was unsure how the boys would react in this first game. However, Wales came out and took an early lead which they managed to hold all the way through, coming out eventual winners 63-55.

 

Game 2

 

After a few hours rest the 2nd game of the day tipped off on Saturday evening. Wales started the game a little flat, possibly showing some signs of fatigue following the efforts of the first game.

However, after trailing on the first quarter 16-22, the rest of the game was a much more even affair, with Wales battling back to go into the final quarter of the game with a narrow 42-41 lead.

The final quarter saw the game swing back and forth between the teams, and an exciting finish saw the teams finish level 58-58 at the final whistle.

With the game going into overtime, the long day finally proved too much for the Welsh boys, with Ireland eventually coming out on top with  58-68 victory.

Wales were bitterly disappointed to lose in this manner but could be proud of their efforts.

 

Game 3

 

The deciding game took place on Sunday morning, but again Wales started slowly and trailed Ireland throughout the 1st quarter.

However, once again Wales battled hard to get themselves back into the game with only a few points between them going into the final quarter.

Unfortunately, the young Irish team proved too strong for a tiring Welsh team and eventually won the game 54-65.

 

Coach Stansfield was extremely proud of his players who battled hard throughout all three games, and although losing out in the series he was confident that there has been much improvement throughout the season.

 

The team have now stayed on in Gormanston to participate in a 5-day Basketball Ireland training camp, which has coaches from around the world in attendance including Gustavo Gracia, who has previously coached at Real Madrid, and also Bill Baddeley, who coaches in Dakota University in the USA.

This camp will allow the boys to further improve aspects of their game which they can then take forward into next season.

 

Finally, the players and management would like to thank all the parents who made the trip across the Irish Sea to gave such great support all week

 

Wales Team

 

Tomos Roscoe.  (Caernarfon Celts)

Harrison Riseborough  (Vale Vipers)

Llifon Torr (Caernarfon Celts)

Milo Channing  (Newport)

Aaron Jones  (Vale Vipers)

Rhys Mackenzie (Cardiff Archers)

Rhun Hughes  (Caernarfon Celts)

Jason Powell-Hill (Carmarthen)

Ethan Waters  (Cardiff Archers)

Toby Upham (Vale Vipers)

Zachery Dixon (Baglan)

Rhys Evans  (Cardiff Archers)

James Morris (Cambridge Cats)

Ben Charlton (Plymouth Raiders)