The Aussie Spinners have qualified for the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation under-23 World Championships following a third-place finish at the Asia Oceania zone qualifiers in Bangkok last week.
The Spinners started well with an easy win in their first pool game against India. The 86-25 margin meant all team members had a chance to take to the court and contribute.
In a much tougher second-round match against Iran, the Australians found themselves in trouble and down 41-21 at half-time.
Tom O’Neill-Thorne, Nick Scott and Bailey Rowland got the Spinners back into the game, but the side ran out of steam, losing 65-61.
O’Neill-Thorne scored 38 points and had nine rebounds and four assists.
The Spinners didn’t have their best game in the third pool match, losing 60-41 to a quick Japan side.
The Spinners rebounded in their last two pool matches, defeating Thailand 67-53 and China 68-28.
O’Neill-Thorne was again the top scorer for the Spinners, with 25 points and 18 points in the two games. Victorian Brian Carminati was also a big contributor on the scoreboard.
The Spinners faced Iran for a second time in the semi-finals. The Australians put in a much better first half this time against Iran, but the Spinners weren’t able to match it in the second half, going down 64-59.
O’Neill-Thorne had a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Jake Fulwood and Carminati also reached double figures.
Looking to take home the bronze medal and qualify for the world championships, the Spinners finished the tournament well by downing Thailand 73-49.
O’Neill-Thorne again top scored, while Victorian Jontee Brown, who was only internationally classified five weeks before the event, and Fulwood also scored double figures.
Nick Scott played the entire 40 minutes as the sole 1.0 class player.
Broadmeadows Basketball’s Craig Campbell, who is Victoria’s Kevin Coombs Cup coach, was the side’s assistant coach.
The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation under-23 World Championships will be held in Canada in June.
