NT Post Game Report: China 5/16
This was it. Team USA was set to start off their quest for a championship against number 1 ranked China in Kaszëbë Arena in Poland. "The atmosphere was crazy" said Tiger Woods who was there to watch the NT because of leaving the Players Championship due to an "injury" but we all knew that Rambo went to see him sometime last week. 21,370 raging fans went berserk as both teams came out of their respective locker room for warm-ups.
The silver trophy winners of the America's tournament last year had some of the players from that team return to this World's team but there were also new faces including Ricky Logsdon, Timothy Wang, Geoffrey Galloway, Bradley Waller, Clay Moore, and Paul Owens. Returning players included Joe "The Show" Bronson, Dexter "Dimes" Dennison, Richard "The Ginja Ninja" Ugona, Jairo Alejandro Renteria, Ricardo Madrid, and Martin Medrano.
It was a slow start for Team USA as China took the early 5-0 lead before Jairo Renteria decided it was time to get on the board as he released a silky smooth jump shot to get the US their first 2 points of this NT season. China had a descent lead around 10 for the most part of the first quarter and although the US NT had continued to fight at the end of the first China led 31-22.
The second quarter started off with a nice put back basket by Jairo Renteria. The US knew they had to narrow the China lead and gain some momentum for the second half and you could tell by the fire in the eyes of the players that tonight our guys were serious. 7 however was the lead the US could not cut down any more. China was hitting their shots and making it difficult for the US NT to respond with buckets of their own. At the end of the second the China lead had increased to 16 as China led 61-45.
Half-time was very interesting for the team as all gathered around new assistant coach Namssor for a motivational speech to get them going in the second half. Namssor walked by every player, looked each one in the eye, and finally stopped at Timothy Wang.
Namssor: Timothy how much do you want this!?
Wang: I want it bad!
Namssor: That's what she said! How are you going to play to get this game?
Wang:.. I'm gonna go hard
Namssor: That's what she said! Timothy you have to play with passion describe the feeling you get when the ball is in your hands? *Throws ball at Wang*
Wang: When I get this thing in my hands, I just can not control myself
Namssor: That's what she said!!
The mood in the room became little bit more layed back and chuckling was heard from all the players, Namssor looked at Jfarb and myself then at the players and yelled, " Let's get this!"
The second half started off with bang as Joe-Bro's layup was called for goal-tending, you could sense the rivalry between these two teams. The United States continued to fight and knew that going into the 4th quarter they would have to narrow the Chinese lead of 16 to at least under 10. After a high scoring 33 point quarter for the US and keeping China to just 24 The US had done what they wanted to do in the quarter and trailed China only by 7.
The final quarter. Team USA had to come out and play ball or the path to a championship would be that much harder. The US NT started off hot and after 3 3's by Ricky Logsdon in the 4th quarter it really made a difference. At 6:20 The Ginja Ninja Richard Ugona found himself open for the shot, draining it and giving the US their first lead of the game. There were several lead changes in the final minutes but at 3:34 Wang hit a shot and the US never looked back. Team USA continued to make shots and FT's to win the game 120-109.
8 US players were in double digits with scoring coming from everywhere it seemed, Joe Bronson led with 19 points, and also led in assist with 10 for a double-double. Timothy Wang had grabbed a team high 16 boards.
Stay tuned for player interviews and the first coach statement of this NT season later to