Canada Beats France Finishing 3rd In Pool at Nike Global Challenge, Final Game Against Pan Africa

WASHINGTON, DC–With many high major NCAA schools and NBA scouts in attendance, Canada was sure to step it up in their second last game against France at the 2013 Nike Global Challenge. Coming into this game Canada was 0-2 after losses to both USA teams East and West, which were comprised of the top players from the four regular season sessions of the Nike EYBL circuit. Today at 12pm Canada will play its final game against Pan Africa after taking a win over France yesterday 88-72.

In the first two losses to the American teams, it was in the later part of the game that things began to fall apart. Similarly, against France, Canada gave them a chance to make a run and get back in the game in the third quarter. It’s understandable that basketball is a game of runs, among many other things that we can say about the game; however, for our Canadian teams one thing that we need to do a better job of is sealing the deal when there is a comfortable lead…That’s just it, there is no lead that should be considered comfortable, you have to play the game until the double zeros show on the clock and the buzzer sounds.

Head Coach of the Canadian team, Tony McIntyre (CIA Bounce) started the game with Kevin Zabo, Jabari Craig, Montaque Gill-Ceasar, Chris Egi and Marial Shayok.

Shayok started off doing what he does best, attacking the basket and making plays for teammates off of his dribble drive game. Shayok bounced back from a weak offensive outing against USA and finished the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

Every time the red and white thought that the game was in the bag, France would make a push that was led by their lead guard Arthur Rozenfield who displayed great vision, and by Mathias Lessort who has been great for France in rebounding and blocking shots.

It was Canada’s hot three point shooting that put them well ahead of France and gave them room to build on a lead. If it wasn’t for their 52% shooting from beyond the arc, their momentum in this game could have been cut short. The efficiency of Kevin Zabo helped put the game away. Zabo did a great job controlling the floor and ensuring that the spacing of his teammates was in tact before starting the offense. His composure sets him apart from other guards in the Canadian 2014 class.

While on the topic of efficiency, Jamal Murray; the youngest player in attendance and Gill-Ceasar have been playing at a high level all summer long on at EYBL and here in Washington at the Nike Global Challenge. These are names in the 2016 and 2015 classes respectively, that coaches should have a highlighted tab on.

Canada will play in their final game today at 12pm  against Pan Africa.

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