Scotland coach has Aussie inside info
BASKETBALL: Boomers veteran Brad Newley believes his teammates will be ready for the challenge despite former Australian assistant coach Rob Beveridge’s best efforts to derail Australia’s pursuit of a second Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Newley is the only remaining player from the gold medalwinning Australian team at Melbourne in 2006 – the only other time basketball has been included in the Games program.
The veteran Sydney Kings swingman, who has won five FIBA Oceania Championships and a FIBA Asia Cup, hopes the Boomers can continue that success at the Games and beyond.
“Winning is becoming a good habit for us and it would be great if we can carry it over from here and into future world cups and Olympics,” Newley (pictured) said.
The Boomers meet a familiar face in Scotland coach Beveridge, who coaches the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL and is a former assistant coach for the Boomers.
Australia coach Andrej Lemanis said he believed the Boomers had improved with each game, but they would have to play well if they are to beat Scotland.
“They shows signs of being a Rob Beveridge-coached team in terms of they junk up their defences and show you different looks,’’ he said.
“At the offensive end they are well organised, share the ball and shoot it pretty well.”
The winner of Saturday’s clash will play either New Zealand or Canada on Sunday.
Newley is not thinking that far ahead. The players have treated their training sessions like games and won’t change how they approach Scotland.
“That’s how we’ve always gone about it, we don’t take anyone for granted,” Newley said.
Saturday’s game starts at 10am.