Hoops

2012 Albert Schweitzer Tourney (7-Apr): The Emu's

Australia defeated Israel 83-67 to finish 9th.
Naar 22p, Lopez 17p, Pineau 15p & 15r.
Australia lost to the Gold Medallist Spain (21pts) and eventual 6th placed Russia (2pts). That loss to Russia in game 1 hurt badly. In the second phase (bottom 8) Australia was never really challenged apart from in their playoff for 9th game where we came from behind to win.

Here was the breakdown:

Gold Medal Game
Spain defeated Serbia 76-69

Bronze Medal Game
Turkey defeated Germany 90-85.

Playoff for 5th
Italy defeated Russia 69-68.

Playoff for 7th
United States defeated France 87-81.

Playoff for 9th
Australia defeated Israel 83-67

Playoff for 11th
China defeated Sweden 78-63.

Playoff for 13th
Argentina defeated Greece 55-42.

Playoff for 15th
Denmark defeated New Zealand 81-62.

Australia defeated Greece 87-75.
Lopez 20p, Naar 19p & 7a, Pineau 18p & 9r, Rowley 12p.

We now play off for 9th place...that 2 point loss to Russia in the opening game was a tournament killer!

Australia defeated Denmark 73-42.
Lopez 16pts, Pineau 11pts & 10reb

Tonight Australia takes on Denmark.

Australia lost to Russia 57-59.
Naar 17pts, Pineau 13pts

Australia defeated China 80-71.
Fisher 23 pts, Lopez 14pts

Australia lost to Spain 57-78.
Fisher 14pts, Oswald 10pts

Finish round-robin with a 1-2 record and in 3rd place in Group C.

Now move into the bottom half of the draw (classification 9-16) and in Group H with Greece, Denmark and China.

Sorry, I have not seen any of him myself.

<blockquote>The Australian Under 21 Womens basketball team, the Sapphires, have won silver at the 2007 FIBA World Championships for Under 21 women tonight after being defeated 96-73 by the USA at the SK Vidnoje Hall in Vidnoje, Russia. The Sapphires progressed to the Gold Medal game after recording six wins and one loss - a last gasp 90-88 defeat by the US in the opening game of the tournament last week. "It is simply a great accomplishment for the girls and the future of Australian basketball," Head Coach Gary Fox said. "These girls deserve a lot of accolades for the things they have done. "USA shot well early and we fought back all game. We got within 12, within ten, within eight points but then we would turn the ball over or give up an offensive rebound and they would break it out again. "The girls showed a lot of character and early foul trouble certainly didn't help us. "They are a good team and they probably played above what they can. "After the game I told the girls how proud I was of them. "I think a lot of people thought they could not do this but they should be very proud of themselves because they are the second best team in the world. "What these girls did through the preliminary, pool and final matches and against the teams we played, to do this is brilliant. Bendigo Spirit forward Jenna OHea scored an equal game high 23 points to go with 8 rebounds to lead the Sapphires with Adelaide Lightning guard Renae Camino tallying 12 points and Sydney Uni Flames forward Mikaela Dombkins adding 10 points. Centre Crystal Longhorne posted a strong 23-point, 14 rebound double-double to lead the USA with four other players posting 10-points or more in support. It is a remarkable result for Australian basketball given Australia is one of 213 basketball playing nations in the world. The USA turned the tables on the Sapphires first quarter tournament dominance, surging to a 15-3 lead after four minutes and with the combination of quick Australian fouls, seven turnovers and a 14-7 rebound count win, the USA held a 32-21 first term lead. The Sapphires responded when the USA looked to extend their lead in the second term however each time it was reduced to 10-points, the US hit clinch baskets, many frustratingly for Australia from offensive rebounds, which saw the US hold a 55-40 halftime lead. OHea led all scorers for the half with 15 points while Spirit team mate Kathleen Macleod had tallied eight points and four assists. The USA won the third quarter 20-16, again adding second chance points courtesy of an 18-5 offensive rebound count win, extending their lead to 75-56 at three quarter time. A determined Sapphires started the final term with an 11-0 run to reduce the lead to eight points, 75-67, with six minutes to go but the USA immediately responded with 18-4 run of their own to shut down the Aussie fight back, going on to win 96-73. The Sapphires cause was made all the more harder when 18-year-old key forward Abby Bishop fouled out in the opening minutes of the final quarter. Similar to the opening game defeat to the USA, the Sapphires lost the crucial rebound battle 52-39. Sapphires road to silver: Game 1: USA 90 def Australia 88 Game 2: Australia 82 def Hungary 72 Game 3: Australia 75 def Spain 56 Game 4: Australia 91 def Japan 72 Game 5: Australia 89 def Brazil 82 Quarter final: Australia 98 def Canada 57 Semi final: Australia 88 def France 81 Final: USA 93 def Australia 76</blockquote>