Depth at guard a strength for Canadian team
Strong backcourt gives under-18s plenty of match-up options
Team Canada’s depth at guard is becoming more apparent with every game at the FIBA under-18 Americas Championship.
Addison Patterson had another impressive game in Thursday’s quarter-final, scoring 26 points to lead Canada over Panama 105-39.
Patterson, a 6-foot-7 guard from Milton, entered the tournament without the fanfare of fellow guards Andrew Nembhard and A.J. Lawson, who are headed to elite NCAA programs. Nembhard, in fact, has already signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Florida. Lawson has dozens of suitors but has yet to make up his mind.
Another guard off the bench, 17year-old Jahcobi Neath of Toronto, continued to impress off the bench for Canada. He scored 17. Starting guard Joel Brown of Toronto scored 15.
Nembhard, the starting point guard and team captain from Aurora, was content to set up his teammates. He ended up with six assists to go with seven points. He is averaging 17 points per game, good for fourth overall among tournament scoring leaders.
“Our chemistry is pretty good,” Nembhard said. “Most of us have been playing together since the seventh
grade. We have been building up for this.
“We haven’t looked at Puerto Rico yet but Friday morning at 11:30, we are going to have film on all their guys.”
The win was Canada’s fourth in a row after going undefeated in the preliminary round.
It also guarantees Canada a berth at next summer’s FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
The Canadians led 22-7 after one quarter and increased the margin to 56-16 at the half.
Canada has never won the U18 FIBA Americas tournament, but last year’s under-19 team stunned the U.S. in the semifinals of the World Cup before beating Italy for the gold medal.
“We know the Americans are very hungry and want to beat us on our home ground,” Nembhard said. “We have to stay focused and play hard and defend our home ground.”
The U.S. beat Ecuador 132-55 in its quarterfinal, Puerto Rico downed Chile 68-65, and Argentina defeated the Dominican Republic 87-70.