see with 5-on-5; the 12- second shot clock and having to know the time and score a little bit more. I thought we really saw some kids with a high basketball I.Q.”
“I think the kids
today got the idea of how to play the game a little bit more and a little bit better,” Showalter added. “I think tomorrow they’re going to expand on that, and we will have even better games.”
Day 3 - July 31 Quarterfinal play
opened the action on July 31, and High Altitude improved to 6-0 after recording a 21-17 win over the Titans. The Bulldogs disposed of Elite by a 21-13 score to remain undefeated, while New Mexico Rain stayed in the medal hunt thanks to a 17-15 victory over Summit, and Ktownhoopsquad downed Dirty U 21-14 to earn the final spot in the semifinals.
continue to roll as it narrowly slipped past New Mexico Rain 19-18. In the other semifinals game, although Ktownhoopsquad led the Bulldogs 9-8, they were forced to forfeit after seeing three of their four players foul out.
The gold medal game featured a pair
of undefeated teams as the Bulldogs and High Altitude both boasted of 7-0 records. Team Bulldogs defeated High Altitude 21-10 in the gold medal game to win the 2012 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Tournament. In the bronze medal game, Ktownhoopsquad upended New Mexico Rain by a score of 21-15.
“I thought the Bulldogs got better as
the tournament went on. They started to figure out what they have to do in a 3x3 setting as compared to a 5-on-5 setting, and I felt they played really well in the gold medal game,” said Showalter.
The three members of the victorious
Bulldogs - Austin, DeMonte Flannigan (Villa Angela-St. Joseph H.S./ Richmond Heights, OH) and Rondaé Hollis-Jefferson (Chester H.S./Chester, Pa.), were selected for the USA 3x3 U18 National Team, and
110
Twelve teams competed in the inaugural 2012 USA Basketball Men’s 3x3 U18 National Tournament and after two days of games, the Bulldogs emerged undefeated to capture the championship. Bulldog team members Larry Austin, DeMonte Flannigan and Rondaé Hollis-Jefferson were named to the USA 3x3 U18 National Team, while Brett Brady of TCI was named the USA’s fourth member.
sharpe-shooter Brady was named as the USA’s fourth member.
“I think Brady is going to be a good Semifinals action saw High Altitude
fit for the other three because he can hit the outside shot, he’s a good 3-point shooter and he can make plays. In 3x3 you want guys that can make plays, and he showed that all weekend,” said Showalter about the addition of Brady to the trio of players on Team Bulldogs. “I’ve worked hard, and it feels good
to get a chance to go out there and play for the USA,” said Brady of being afforded the opportunity to represent the USA. “It’s a big deal and something you always wish to do in your life.” Austin, Flannigan and Hollis-
Jefferson also were members of the 2011-12 USA Basketball Men’s Developmental National Team and had attended a training camp at the USOTC earlier this summer. “It’s a blessing to be able to play for
this team,” said Austin. “I came out to try out for the U17 team and didn’t make it, but I’m back here with the 3x3 team and playing with a good group of guys so I think it should be a lot of fun.” Hollis-Jefferson boasted of prior
international 3x3 experience and was a member of the 2011 USA Basketball 3x3 Youth World Championship Team that went 7-5 and finished in eighth place at the inaugural FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championship, an event now billed as
the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship. Austin was a member of the 2011 USA FIBA Americas U16 Championship Team that won gold in Cancun, Mexico. “The women’s 3x3 U18 team started
training camp a little slow having not played this game as a team, but as their training continued they began to mesh, and it now looks like a strong team to go to Spain and compete at the top level,” said Johnson, USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Team Committee member. Unfortunately, Gray never got to suit
up for the United States as a knee injury forced her to withdraw and Kaela Davis (Buford H.S./Suwanee, Ga.) was named to replace her. Ultimately, the USA women’s team
assembled for the 3x3 U18 World Championship boasted of plenty of USA Basketball experience. In fact, Davis, DeShields, McCall and a Turner were all members of the 2012 USA U17 World Championship Team that won gold in Amsterdam, Aug. 17-26. “It’s definitely difficult,” DeShields
said about picking up the intricacies of the 3x3 game. “It’s faster, there’s a 12- second shot clock and it’s a thinking game. You don’t have a coach out there, you have to coach yourself. There are a lot more different rules and aspects of the game that you have to get adjusted to. It’s a thinking game, and whoever is most strategic will win.”
USA Basketball News
Cole Mickelson/USA Basketball
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