Canada's Cadet's Win the Bronze

If you don't already know, the Cadet Men beat out Lithuania 83-81 for the Bronze Medal at the U17 Championships in Hamburg. 

Big shouts to the Cadets for pulling out a win after being down by double digits at one point in the fourth quarter and pulling out free throws with under 30 seconds in the game to steal the medal from Lithuania. 

Despite Anthony Bennett missing this game due to injury, it was a total team effort with six players scoring in double digits led by led by Olivier Hanlan with 15 pts, who also had 5 rbs, 4 asts and 2 stls, but none more important than his two free throws late in the fourth to give Canada the lead.  Pangos, who made the All Tournament Team, led the way with 5 asts and chipped in 13 points and Dyshawn Pierre was one rebound away from his fifth double-double of the tournament finishing with 12 pts, 9 rbs, 2 asts and 2 stls. 

Overall, this Cadet team showed great poise and what (Pangos used to describe the team today on the call) toughness  throughout their run at the Bronze often overcoming deficits in their games to come out on top.  As Coach Roy Rana said in the conference call this morning, "There is nothing wrong with being third in the world."  And no one could have said it better than that.  This Bronze just sets up these players for more success and heightens the expectations for the coming summer, which is a good thing.  I think it's safe to say that the basketball future of this country and our National Program is on the rise and everyone, at home and around the world, should really start to take notice now. 

Check out the game report herefrom FIBA, the boxscore here, the Canada Basketball release here, here is the highlight reel from the game and assorted stories on the win here and here. 

In the words of Swizz and Jigga, onto the next one ...