Hopes dashed for English
Frustration, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. England captain Mike Tuck (above, right) did not hold back when asked to described Tuesday night’s loss to Canada in the Commonwealth Games sudden-death quarter-final in Cairns. The English lads had high expectations when they landed in Australia for the campaign but have been sent home early following the 97-79 defeat, highlighted by a 30-12 opening term where they were blown out of the water.
BASKETBALL FRUSTRATION, embarrassment, disappointment and anger.
England captain Mike Tuck did not hold back when asked to describe Tuesday night’s loss to Canada in the Commonwealth Games suddendeath quarter-final in Cairns.
The English lads had high expectations when they landed in Australia for the campaign but have been sent home early following the 97-79 defeat, highlighted by a 30-12 opening term where they were blown out of the water.
For the Canadian-born Tuck, it was a bittersweet experience with his family in the Pic: GETTY stands in Cairns to watch the power forward play against his country of berth.
A dual citizen, Tuck represented Canada with the Canadian Men’s Developmental team before stepping into the English national team.
“Everybody is pretty gutted right now, there is a lot of emotions, frustration, embarrass- ment, disappointment anger,” Tuck said.
“We really thought we had a good chance against Canada but they were the better team on the night.
“Defensively, we had too many defensive breakdowns and shot ourselves in the foot in the first half and we were not able to make it back.
“We will need to take some time to get over this one.”
As well as captaining the Poms, Tuck also leads his club, the Sheffield Sharks in the British Basketball League.
Former Cairns Marlins captain James Mitchell is in his first season with the Sharks and Tuck believes the now Rockhampton forward has brought enthusiasm and passion and to the squad.
“He is an energy guy for us, he plays hard on both ends of the floor,” Tuck said.
“He has been a great role player for us coming in when he can and doing the little things for us.
“Playing in the BBL will help him grow along his basketball journey as a person and a player.
“He has learnt a lot this season and hopefully that will help him at Rockhampton.”
Canada play New Zealand at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Saturday while Scotland, led by Illawarra Hawks coach Rob Beveridge, overcame Nigeria on Tuesday night in Cairns and now face Australia.
WE HAD TOO MANY DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWNS AND SHOT OURSELVES IN THE FOOT IN THE FIRST HALF AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK