Basketball Australia Under-20 & Ivor Burge National Championships 2023 live blog day two (U20's & Ivor Burge National Championships)
It’s all about defence, defence and the daughter of a couple of basketball legends. News Corp’s Mick Randall and Brayden May hit us with their big takeaways from Day 2 at the Nationals.
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It was a day highlighted by intense battles and outrageous dunks, and maybe a tad too much physicality - looking at you NSW and South Australian Ivor Burge teams.
But after another thrilling day in which the title hopefuls only added to their credentials, Mick Randall and Brayden May, who braved the conditions courtside, bring you their five take-aways from day two.
THE DEFENSIVE STOCKS
Dyson Daniels, Josh Green and Matisse Thybulle – three elite defenders already in the Australian Boomers ranks.
That figure is only going to grow in the coming years.
Whether it’s blocked shots or steals, the level of defence has been off the charts already this week.
Rocco Zikarsky put on a show with five blocks against NSW in a game which had some of the best defensive displays of the tournament.
Victoria Navy’s Corey Hastings had five steals against SA Blue early in the day.
And WA might have the best team defence in the tournament. Defensive pressure has been at an elite level in most games, even when there has been a class difference.
PETRIE THROWING QUEENSLAND INTO CONTENTION
Heading into this tournament we knew Jess Petrie - daughter of former NBL man Anthony Petrie - was a serious player and she has her fingerprints all over it.
Against Victoria Navy, she had a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double and she just needed 25 minutes to put up those numbers.
But it’s not her stats which tell the full story - her on court smarts give her a heavy advantage over her opponents. Some things you just can’t teach.
Queensland is two from two and, with Petrie firing, anything is possible.
WHAT THE IVOR BURGE IS ALL ABOUT
You probably know all about the Tasmanian duo putting up huge numbers in the Ivor Burge competition.
But we’ve seen some things, that just make you want to smile.
These guys have been fierce competitors – but they’re the first to pick up a fallen opposition players. We’ve already lost count of how many times, a player has rushed over to help someone from the opposite team.
Then there’s the coaches who cheer every possession. What these guys do is what our game is about.
THE MCDOWELL-WHITE SIBLINGS
Sibling rivalry runs deep in the McDowell-White household.
Will is an impressive point guard for the NZ Breakers and then there’s Hayley and Kobe who are playing at this competition.
Hayley is part of an impressive Queensland girls side, filling a key role for the Pool B chart-toppers.
Meanwhile, Kobe is a driving force for the state’s men’s team with an average of 18 points, five boards and five assists.
WHO WINS IT?
Queensland, WA and NSW are all unbeaten 3-0. It’s the men from the west who have stood out for me early, purely for their ability to go to another level when it’s needed.
WA was challenged on day one by Vic Navy and, after halftime, they turned on the defensive jets and quickly span a one-point lead into double digits in the blink of an eye.
Not many teams in the tournament can bring a monster like Josh Ibukunoluwa off the bench averaging a double-double.
NSW are tough, while Queensland might be the surprise packets.
HEAT WAVE
If you’re not watching or playing on the show court, prepare to swelter.
The conditions in the Geelong Basketball Arena hit 31C on Wednesday and the forecast is 35C, then 37C.
It’s going to be like an oven on the other two courts - and in the media room.
In fact, forget the big fit players, how about this tubby journo?
Thoughts and prayers.
NSW building a brick wall around title credentials
Defensive intent has been the order of the day for NSW’s under-20 men’s team.
The Blues have made it three wins from three to start the tournament after a hard fought victory over the NBA Global Academy on Wednesday afternoon.
In a game that had plenty of momentum, NSW overcame arguably its toughest test yet against some of the tournament’s most talented youngsters.
The victory was built on a defensive masterclass as NSW recorded 13 steals and six blocks.
Despite the Academy recording 10 blocks of their own, the victors were often able to score second chance points off of those.
NSW coach Brook Pearce said he was impressed with his side’s performance, especially on the defensive end.
“That was the focus going into the game,” he said.
“We were just focusing on each possession as it went.
“I think when you play a team like that everyone is just excited and rises to the challenge.”
It was an even team performance on the offensive end with three players in double figures led by James O’Donnell with 16 points.
Importantly NSW were also able to convert late free throws to put icing on the cake.
“Josh Dent is pretty good under pressure,” Pearce said.
“As a coaching staff we trust him to step up to the free throw line and make his shots.”
Queenslander Rocco Zikarsky impressed off the bench for the NBA side with a double-double, 11 points and 10 points, while also recording five blocks.
There will be a watch on Dash Daniels heading into the Thursday action after he limped off with what appeared to be a lower leg with five minutes remaining.
NSW’s Jalen Blanchard suffered an ankle injury and did not return to the court after the first quarter.
Meet NSW’s snowboarding basketball star
Multi-sport athletes aren’t rare but Lachlan Skellet’s combination might just be one of the more abstract pairings in the world.
When the 17-year-old basketball star isn’t tearing up the court for NSW, he’s on the slopes winning snowboarding gold medals.
On Wednesday morning at the National Championships, he was everywhere in his side’s Ivor Burge win over WA recording 37 points, 14 rebounds, seven blocks and four assists.
For now, his focus is on the court.
“I schedule my time based on the time of the year,” he said.
“During this time of year, when it’s basketball season, I’ll do training with people like my good friend Jack Gilbertson from Tassie.
“And around late April to May I’ll start my gym work for snowboarding. Then I’m down there for most of the season doing races and everything like that.”
At 6’9”, the highly talented teenager who is set to represent Australia later this year looks up to some of the game’s greatest ever players.
And for one of those you could say he’s almost the Aussie clone with his elite length and athleticism.
“In terms of positioning, if I go small forward it would be Kevin Durant, he’s my idol and I’ve always tried to replicate his game,” he said.
“And then if I’m playing as a big man, it’s Kareem Abdul-Jabaar. I like doing my sky hooks because they’re hard to defend.”
Wednesday morning’s win over WA saw Skellet and NSW move to 1-1 record for the tournament.
They lost to South Australia on the opening day.
“It was a really good performance from the boys, we played really good on defence,” he said.
“We just kept in there and used our height to our advantage. It was pretty hard facing SA yesterday, it was a good experience especially for some of the new guys in the Ivor Burge program.
“It was good to bounce back and get the team rolling.”
Highly-rated WA talent living up to expectations
Loving the big kid from WA Josh Ibukunoluwa, long and strong, he loves to dunk on people and kicked off the tournament with a gaudy 20 points, 13 boards and 3 blocks - all off the bench - and then backed that up with 19-9 later on. Was in our top 20 players pre-tournament for a very good reason.
Foxwell following footsteps
Joel Foxwell is on a path to joining his brother in professional basketball. Different players, though. Owen is bigger, stronger and has a rabid appetite for the defensive end. Joel is smaller, both in stature and size, but has a far more-rounded offensive skillset and, while it’s hard to compare them, given Owen is playing in one of the best league’s on the planet, the younger brother appears to have a better feel for the two guard position. Will be one of the stories of the tournament if he lands at a D1 college or as an NBL development player.
Playing two games in a day is bloody hard. Just ask Foxwell, who stomped the NBA GA and then went 3-19 against WA and finished on the bench with cramps. He’d done a power of work for Vic Navy, so who could blame the kid? Eight quarters of basketball in a day is a massive ask. Not sure how to do it better and perhaps it’s something for kids to be more aware of. Survival of the fittest.
Watch out for the Big V
The Vic girls are good. Really good. With four WNBL development players, it’s clear the Victorians are going to be a load this tournament. Melbourne Boomers Paige and Sophie Burrows and Lilly Carmody, along with Bendigo’s Dyani Ananiev they won their two day-one games by a combined total of 87 points. Yeesh.
International talent starting to click
Romania’s Dragos Lungu might be one of the best athletes at the tournament and he can also orchestrate an offence, leading the competition in assists at six per game. Everything he does looks smooth, with plenty of show. He’s worked hard to improve at the NBA Global Academy. Has it clicked for him?
U14s CLUBS HUB: How to watch, live stream schedule, key info
Catch up on all the action from a massive final day at one of Basketball Australia’s biggest junior tournaments. Click on the links below to take you to the highlights from all six courts.
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