A perfect 9-0 run through the FIBA U-19 World Championships capped by a 88-80 win over the Greek team to give the USA team the Gold. The first time the USA team has won it in 18 years.
The teams were tied 19-19 after the first quarter but the United States gained a crucial break with an outstanding defensive performance in the second period, outscoring Greece 27-11 to lead 46-30 at halftime.
Greece made a concerted comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Americans 21-14 to cut their lead to 60-51 at three-quarter time. Taylor kept his team’s hopes alive during that period, breaking a brief scoring drought, and was prominent as the United States drew away again in a 29-28 last quarter.
The United States opened a 10-point lead early in the final period and shut down any threat of a Greek comeback with two critical outside shots from Klay Thompson and Ashton Gibbs. Thompson’s long three-pointer gave the United States a 13-point lead and Gibbs’ had them ahead by 12 points with 5:10 remaining.
The United States was still ahead 78-63 with two minutes left and though Greece finished strongly the gap was too great to bridge.
Gibbs finished with 13 points, Thompson 10 while Arnett Moultrie had 10 points and nine rebounds. The depth of the United States’ scoring was reflected in the fact Gordon Hayward, their top scorer throughout the tournament, failed to score Sunday but others in the strong winning lineup took up the slack.
Gibbs also led the attack to bust the game open in that second quarter.
The USA opened some breathing room after running off a 16-1 offensive onslaught over the course of the second quarter’s first five minutes. Ashton Gibbs (Pittsburgh / Scotch Plains, N.J.) started the run and accounted for six of the team’s first eight points in the spurt, then Terrico White (Mississippi / Memphis, Tenn.) finished it off with a fastbreak basket and a 3-pointer that left the USA holding a 35-20 lead with 5:07 to play before half.
Gibbs didn’t shoot a great percentage (PDF Box Score), only 4-12, but he led the team in crucial points and what was interesting about the tournament for Gibbs was how much he seemed to be attacking and driving to the basket rather than always spotting up for shots. Obviously with him handling a lot of point guard duties, he would not get that chance as much.
In this game, the US team only attempted a total of 15 3s. Their lowest number in the whole tournament. Prior to the Championship game, the US team averaged nearly 28 attempts per game.
And so, with a perfect run while every other team finished with at least 2 losses, the USA team was clearly the best.
The Americans ended an 18-year drought at the age group tournament by tipping over the European champions 88-80.
It maintained their unbeaten record after nine matches in the 16-nation tournament, meaning there can be no questions about their dominance.
The USA team celebrated on the court.
And as the clock finally wound down at a packed NSEC, with a fabulous crowd of over 4000 enjoying the finale, it was finally time for some celebrating. Finally these Americans on a mission could let their emotions out of the bag as they realised the only colour medal they’d come here to collect.
And while New Zealand did not make the U-19, they could at least take pride in the USA team’s coach.
It should be noted, too, that they were coached by a guy – Jamie Dixon – who cut his coaching teeth in New Zealand way back in 1989 when he was an import with Hawke’s Bay in the NBL. That stint coaching juniors in the region, he said, set him on the coaching pathway. For that the USA is now no doubt eternally grateful.
Dixon said it had been extra special to win this title in New Zealand, and he was full of praise for the way in which his team of collegiate talents brought into the collective goal.
“This is so unique for us, but it really is a rewarding experience now. The whole thing has just been a great experience. We really set as a goal to win the gold medal and we also made it clear we hadn’t won since 1991. We used that as motivation throughout the month we’ve been going.”
Taylor said coach Dixon had never let his players forget the responsibility they had to end the gold medal drought at this event.
“He kept telling us, you know we haven’t won this tournament for a long time. We knew with the guys we brought, we didn’t have any superstars, we just had really good players who liked being around each other, so we knew it would be fun.”
Now that the Tournament is over, Coach Dixon has ended an apparent Twitter embargo. Praising the team and coaches and specifically Ashton Gibbs.
It’s not like Coach Dixon will have much time to relax after his flight. He’s heading straight to Augusta, Georgia to attend the Nike Peach Jam tournament.
Would it be in poor taste to head into that gym, wearing the requisite Pitt gear and a gold medal around his neck? Maybe with the trophy under an arm?
UPDATE: They just added the video highlights. Maybe it’s the lighting in the gym, but Coach Dixon looks to be graying overnight. Could we have a Grecian Formula shortage?
