Junior Tall Blacks round out preparation for FIBA U19 World Cup

The Anchor Junior Tall Blacks have rounded off preparation for the FIBA U19 World Cup with a second-place finish at their latest tournament in China and now head to Cairo for their tournament opener on Saturday against Korea.

The New Zealand side rounded off their tour in China in strong fashion, with a 27-9 final quarter against a powerful Lithuania side not quite enough to erase a first half deficit in losing 64-70. The Daryl Cartwright coached side had defeated China 89-62 to set up what was effectively a winner takes all clash with the Europeans.

"I am pleased with the way we finished the game and will certainly look to carry that momentum into our final few practices ahead of the game against Korea on Saturday," said Cartwright.

"While we came up a little short, we stormed home and could well have taken the win, but it still felt like a positive way to round off our preparations here in China. They started hot with eight three pointers in the first quarter to lead 31-15 and it just took us too long to get our offence going until that final quarter.

"This last week has been challenging with a combination of issues around food, illness and injury - but that is what touring and playing in tournament situations is all about so will only strengthen us for Egypt. Our focus now is managing a 30-hour journey to Cairo and then to settle in quickly ahead of the tournament proper, but I know the boys will be up to the challenge and will do all the right things to be ready to play."

Cartwright said the team had been following the Americas Cup action from afar, but with the timing of games and practices, had not been able to watch any of the action live.

"We would love to have watched the action live but we are here to do a job and focus on getting ready for our own big occasion. We did catch the highlights, it was amazing to watch and inspiring for us to think that we might now go on to our own similar challenge and like Team New Zealand, punch above our weight on the world stage."

That inspiration will only add more fuel to the Anchor powered Junior Tall Blacks as the world stage beckons. The enormity of the task and the global nature of what they are about to take on will quickly become clear on arrival in Cairo, with the first 24 hours featuring technical meetings, accreditation approvals and the tournament opening ceremony before the young New Zealanders have the honour of playing in the first game of the tournament on Saturday evening New Zealand time.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand