Basketballers enjoy Dutch adventure

The Academy returned with a 5th place finish at the 22nd edition of the Holland Nordic basketball tournament (HNBT).

The academy team finished with a positive record of 3 wins and 2 losses in its first appearance at the tournament in Groningen, that welcomes some of the top club and national teams from across Europe. This year’s cohort featured Donar & Groningen Select (Netherlands); KK Jance (Ljubljana, Slovenia); Tornado Basketball School (Kaunas, Lithuania); OKK Sloboda Tuzla (Tuzla, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina); BCM Orli (Prostejov, Czech Republic); and Young Rasta Dragons (Quakenbruck, Germany).

Previous winners have included Itchen Basketball Academy (2016, England); CSKA Moscow (2015, Russia); CEZ Nymburk (2014, Czech Republic); Sabonis Basketball Academy (2013, Lithuania) and finally the England National Team in 2012.

On day one of the tournament, Myerscough was matched up with the hometown team Donar and the Tornado Basketball School from Lithuania. Both games would result in the College’s two losses where they fell 60-51 and 61-47, before a much improved day two saw the final group game against KK Jance and the first round of classification games against Groningen select as the team looked to secure a 5th place finish after missing out on a semi-final place from the results on the previous day.

Myerscough ran out winners (84-38) against KK Jance, before victories over (69-58) winners, setting up a showdown with OKK Sloboda Tuzla for 5/6th place, which Myerscough won 89-49.

Myerscough coach, Troy Culley, said: “The tournament has been a great experience for our guys. The team have learnt some valuable lessons during our short time in Groningen which will be beneficial on their return to England and after the slow start, we demonstrated the level that we can play at when everyone is locked in as we had the two biggest wins of the tournament.

‘’Off-court I would like to extend my gratitude at having the opportunity to be a part of this trip and towards all the volunteers that helped create a special memory for our players.”

There was further success for Myerscough as Tyrell Brown was named Defensive Player of the Tournament, while fellow Myerscough student, David Walsh, won a dunk contest and a three-point shootout event.