Emus get it done against USA but France too good
In many respects the Australian Emus came to France to play...France - and last night that meeting took place, as the Emus eventually fell to the host nation 68-65 at the Douai Tournament.
In a sunny gymnasium, with a packed audience, the two friendly rivals began what was to become an absorbing and enthralling struggle with the game only decided in the final seconds.
This was a classic grind-it-out affair. Well planned defensive schemes were employed by both teams, and therefore the opportunities for easy baskets, or indeed any baskets, were as rare as an uneaten French rabbit.
The toughness of the Australians in the loose ball contests, in the rebounding, in the defensive focus was impressive and would ultimately earn the praise of Coach Marty Clarke in his post game assessment.
Such was the proximity of the scores that the first three quarters read: 15-15, 16-16, and 14-14. Things then became rather different.
The French, via some favourable ‘rub of the green’ were able to establish first a seven point lead, which, in the twinkling of an eye, morphed into a 15 point lead. The Aussies were up against it.
However the young Emus responded to the situation bravely. Back they came with 3’s and steals and determination. And with just 30 seconds remaining the French lead was back to just two points.
The seconds seemed like hours and the parry and thrust of the situation must have been nerve-wracking for the now hushed French crowd. Free-throws, fouls, free-throws, fouls...
Until, time ran out for the Emus – France prevail in a remarkably tough game: 68-65.
Those who saw Australia play on June 13, saw an honourable performance.
Quarter by quarter:
1: Aust 15 – 15 France
H: Aust 31 – 31 (16 – 16)
3: Aust 45 – 45 (14 – 14)
F: Aust 65 – 68 (20 – 24)
AUSTRALIA 65 (Cody Ellis 14; Ryan Broekhoff 8; Christian Salecich 8; Shane Harris-Tunks 8) defeated by
FRANCE 68 (Paul Lacombe 11; Tanguy Ramassamy 9; Andrew Albicy 9)
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Australia defeats USA - the Emus get it done
12 June 2009
The Emus have defeated the USA 2K Sports team, 79-77, in a nail-biting contest at the Douai Tournament in France overnight.
Through Douai’s winding lanes and alleys, her brick and mortar worn by time and tide, past her canals – the Emus came to play the young men of America.
The Australians confronted a remarkably athletic and confident USA 2K Sports team and knew that their opponents would test their resolve and physical prowess – all this was understood after observing the Americans warm-up!
The Aussies however imposed themselves and their team-work on their opponents in the first quarter and established a 26-16 lead at the break.
The Emus shooting was feature of the opening salvos with Christian Salecich and Ryan Broekhoff netting several impressive bombs.
USA 2K Sports were able to gain some control in the second period and tied the Emus for scoring with 19 apiece but the Aussies still held a 10 point advantage at the main break.
The third quarter though belonged to the Americans. A tactical change and some indecision by the Australians allowed their opponents back into the game and by the end of the third the lead was but one point.
Throughout the fourth term the teams traded baskets and the game was positioned on the edge of a blade.
The Americans indeed looked to have gained a winning break with 65 seconds remaining and having possession.
Emus Coach Marty Clarke took time-out and devised a scheme to separate the ball from USA 2K Sports – this scheme met with success and eventually the Emus evened the score at 77 apiece. There was time for one last shot, Australia’s ball at halfway. Again, time-out.
This time the pass went to Jason Cadee who drove to the basket and shot with but a nanosecond remaining. The shot went in and Australia secured the win, 79-77.
The team rejoices!
Quarter by quarter:
1: Aust 26 -16 USA
H: Aust 45 – 35 USA (19 – 19)
3: Aust 58 – 57 USA (13 – 22)
4: Aust 79 – 77 USA (21 – 20)
AUSTRALIA 79 (Brock Motum 19; Cody Ellis 12; Christian Salecich 12) bt
US 2K SPORTS 77 (Jordan McRae 19; Tristan Thompson 16; Ray McCallum 12)
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Emus claim victory over Canada
13 June 2009
The Emus brought their tour tally to three wins and one loss after narrowly defeating Canada 82-77 at the Douai Tournament in France on Friday.
Under a sky of warm, sweet, welcome sunshine the Australians went to play the Canadians. It must be said that the venue, encapsulated as it was by turnips and wheat, was an unlikely place for these two commonwealth countries to converge and play – but play they did and the good people of the village witnessed a tough, skilful game of international basketball.
Boomers squad member Brock Motum led all scorers, posting 20 points in just 17 minutes on court, with support from Matthew Dellavedova who added 13 points. Ryan Broekhoff posted a game high eight rebounds to help the Emus dominate the count 35-23.
The young Australians began the game with an intensity and focus which was beyond that of the Canadians and were thus rewarded with an early lead that extended to a 21-14 quarter time score.
The ascendency, albeit a narrow one, had been gained by the Emus early barrage and was not lost again. Once more the Emus found a variety of contributors and performed with a consistency which left Coach Marty Clarke pleased and the Canadians searching for answers.
Some desperate late in the shot clock shooting by the Canadians kept them within touch, and reduced the margin to two points at halftime, however with each challenge the Australians parried and countered with an offensive of their own.
Desperation for loose balls, teamwork and the ability to get to the basket - 23 points in the paint and 30 foul shots – were all characteristics of the Australian effort in Le Cateau.
Ultimately, the Emus prevailed and were deserved five-point winners.
The Emus face USA 2KSPORTS, host nation France and Puerto Rico in the final days of the tournament.
Quarter by quarter:
1: Aust 21 – Canada 14
H: Aust 38 – Canada 36 (17-22)
3: Aust 61 – Canada 50 (23-14)
F: Aust 82 – Canada 77 (21-27)
AUSTRALIA 82 (Brock Motum 20; Matt Dellavedova 13; Jason Cadee 11; Hugh Greenwood 11) bt
CANADA 77 (Kelly Olynyk 16; Rob Gagliardi 16; Murphy Burnatowski 12)
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Emus fall in Douai Tournament
12 June 2009
The Emus have been defeated in the opening game of the Douai Tournament, overwhelmed by Lithuania 96-80 in Orchies, France.
After defeating the Lithuanians only two days previously the Emus would have had some confidence going into this fixture but they could not match their rivals.
If one were so inclined to believe that the weather can foreshadow events and mood, then the skies above Orchies prior to the game spoke of heaviness and shadow. The rain did fall freely and unfortunately for the Emus, so did the Lithuanian’s shots.
Try as they did, the Australians could not find a tempo that suited their play. This feature of the game was more about the control and skill of the Lithuanians, than any lack of desire from the Australians.
Lithuania fired from the start to lead the Emus by five points at the first break 25-20. The Aussies lifted in the second term and matched Lithuania but could not make any inroads into the margin.
The Emus continued to trail by five points at the half and were showing signs that they could bring their opponents once more to heel, however, the third quarter belonged to the slick men from the Baltic and they set up a match-winning lead by outscoring the Aussies 28-14 for the period.
The Australians from then on were chasing the game - and without much joy. Lithuania, throughout the fourth, controlled the ball and the tempo and deserved their win.
For the Emus it was an invaluable experience. International games can turn in but a few possessions and once momentum is gone, alas, it can be hard to find once more.
Coach Marty Clarke spoke of organisation and the need to capitalise on opportunities when they present themselves – these were the lessons of the game.
Next up in the tournament for the Emus is Canada.
Quarter by quarter:
1: Lithuania 25 – Aust 20
H: Lithuania 46 – Aust 41 (21 – 21)
3: Lithuania 74 – Aust 55 (28 – 14)
F: Lithuania 96 – Aust 80 (24 – 24)
Lithuania 96 (Orelikas Gediminas 17, Motiejunas Donatas 14, Redikas Dovydas 13) bt
Australia 80 (Cody Ellis 18, Jason Cadee 15, Hugh Greenwood 12)
Read the Emus On Tour Blog
Click here to go to the Douai Tournament website
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Emus outclass old foe in France
11 June 2009
The Australian Emus continued their 2009 campaign with an 83-73 win over Lithuania in Carvin, France last night.
Lithuania, the great basketballing nation from the Baltic region has been a tremendous rival for Australia throughout the years and last night they again proved themselves as a skilful and tough opponent.
It was a tight contest in the opening quarter as Lithuania took a one point lead into the first break 17-16, but the Emus fought back in the second quarter to set up a six point lead at halftime and held on for victory.
The Emus were challenged by the Lithuanians crafty pick and roll plays and their excellent spacing with the offence, but also demonstrated their own fluency and flexibility on offence as well as their trademark open court game.
This ability by the Australians to keep the score ticking over was a pleasing feature of the game for Coach Marty Clarke, as was the fact that the team was able to find scoring from so many sources and areas of the court.
The Emus also applied persistent defensive pressure and intensity leaving the Lithuanians unable to score more than 20 points in a single quarter: a factor which had much to do with the Australians.
Coach Marty Clarke again freely rotated his players in and out of the game and found many contributors.
After a 15-point haul against France in the opening game of the tournament Ryan Broekhoff backed up that performance to lead the Emus with 17 points last night. Lithuania’s Redikas Dovydas led all scorers with 20 points.
The Emus open their Douai Tournament campaign against Lithuania again tonight before rounding out the tournament against Canada, the USA, France and Puerto Rico.
Click here to go to the tournament website
Quarter by quarter
1: LITHUANIA 17 AUST 16
H: AUST 42 LITHUANIA 36 (26-19)
3: AUST 62 LITHUANIA 53 (20-17)
F: AUST 83 LITHUANIA 73 (21-20)
Australia 83 (Ryan Broekhoff 17, Matthew Dellavedova 11, Brock Motum 11) bt
Lithuania 73 (Redikas Dovydas 20, Drungilas Adomas 12, Orelikas Gediminas 10)
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Emus fly high in France
10 June 2009
Australia's Under-19 men's basketball team, the Emus, have defeated the French Junior National Team, 87-68, in the first game of their tour of France.
The Emus relished the atmosphere of their first game in Europe and showed no sign of jitters despite the extremely athletic appearance of the opposition during warm-up. Brock Motum lead the Aussies with 17 points and five rebounds supported by Ryan Broekhoff and Jason Cadee with 15 points apiece.
The Australians were able to establish a healthy lead at half time and, after holding France to just 14 points in the third period the Emus forged ahead with clever team-work.
The French made a gallant surge in the fourth quarter, spurred by the vocal support of the Beauvais faithful, but the Australians were poised and answered the challenge.
Once the French resistance had been quelled, the Emus were able to close out the match with some fine flourishes including a Mitchell Young ‘alley-oop’ play that left the crowd both gasping and applauding.
Coach Marty Clarke was able to utilise the strengths and skills of his team to great effect throughout the match. The depth and versatility of the Emus was a key factor in the Australians repulsion of French attempts to crawl their way back into the game.
Some 800 people came to Beauvais to see the French team play the visiting Australians. And they came to understand that an Emu may not fly, but they can most surely run –“sacre bleur”!
The Emus continue their warm up to the Under-19 Four Nations Tournament and FIBA World Championship with the Tournament of Douai where they will play France, Lithuania, Canada, Puerto Rico and a team from the USA.
Australia defeated France 87-68
Australian top scorers: Brock Motum 17, Jason Cadee 15, Ryan Broekhoff 15
Click here to go to the tournament website
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