HAMBURG, Germany - Canada’s Cadet Men’s National Team (CMNT) has accomplished what very few good men have done before them. The squad won the bronze medal by defeating Lithuania 83-81 on Sunday at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship.
“This game is another historic win for Canada,” said CMNT Head Coach Roy Rana. “There has only been one or two times that Canada has medalled at the worlds … and for these young kids to do this in the beginning of their career will only raise all of our expectations in a good way for these guys to have that self-confidence to play internationally.”
Canada had six players score in double digits compared to Lithuania’s three. Olivier Hanlan (Gatineau, Que.) led the red and white with 15 points, and was four-for-five from the free throw line, including a pair of crucial charity shots to give Canada the lead in the final minute. Junior Lomomba (Montreal) followed with 14 points and five rebounds. Kevin Pangos (Holland Landing, Ont.) and Negus Webster-Chan (Toronto) both contributed 13 points, with Dyshawn Pierre (Whitby, Ont.) and Andrew Wiggins (Toronto) each collecting 12.
“Having the Canadian jersey on your chest, and playing for your country knowing that the whole entire world is watching … it’s unbelievable,” said Lomomba, who also competed with Canada’s Junior Men’s National Team that earned a bronze medal at the U18 FIBA Americas Championship earlier this summer. “I think people are going to start to realize that we have a lot of great talent and we are winners.”
Lithuania’s Martynas Paliukenas led all scorers with 16 points and was also tops in assists with five. Simonas Kymantas was a force on the boards leading all rebounders with 14.
Game Recap:
Both teams came out strong in the first quarter, knowing the significance of this game. The Canadians knew it would be tough battle with the adverse conditions (no air conditioning in the gym), especially playing a European team in Europe. The Lithuanian fans were chanting behind the Canadian bench throughout the game. But Canada came with one mission and focus – play tough and claim a medal.
At the end of the first quarter Canada was down four (28-24), but the squad battled back to chip away at Lithuania’s lead controlling the second stanza 16-15. At halftime coach Rana took the team outside to cool off and motivate them for the second half, and his players did not disappoint. They led the third period 19-18, now down only two to Lithuania. It would all come down to last 10 minutes.
Lithuania came out strong offensively in the fourth quarter, going on a run and forcing coach Rana to call a timeout to regroup. Canada was trailing 81-77 when Hanlan nailed a three-pointer on a pass from Pangos with 36 seconds remaining. Hanlan was fouled after grabbing a defensive rebound with 13 seconds left and made both free throws to put Canada ahead 82-81. Pierre
