1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,587 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB Basketball. 3 00:00:13,667 --> 00:00:18,507 Speaker 2: Because New Zealand has surged to an historic quarterfinal win 4 00:00:18,707 --> 00:00:22,947 Speaker 2: over hosts Switzerland at basketball's Under nineteen World Cup. 5 00:00:23,507 --> 00:00:30,547 Speaker 1: Touch baseline creates happoint Judes getting. 6 00:00:30,347 --> 00:00:32,307 Speaker 3: Round a defender Jones. 7 00:00:34,027 --> 00:00:36,587 Speaker 4: The night goes to New Zealand as they claimed their 8 00:00:36,627 --> 00:00:41,467 Speaker 4: first ever trip to the FEVER United Team Basketball World 9 00:00:41,507 --> 00:00:45,027 Speaker 4: Cup semi finals, and it will in the second half 10 00:00:45,147 --> 00:00:49,787 Speaker 4: like no other, New Zealand has outsports Switzerland forty six 11 00:00:50,227 --> 00:00:53,227 Speaker 4: the twenty six in the last forty minutes. 12 00:00:54,027 --> 00:00:55,907 Speaker 2: Down by six points at a half time, the junior 13 00:00:55,947 --> 00:00:59,427 Speaker 2: toll Blacks won eighty four points to seventy, the first 14 00:00:59,467 --> 00:01:02,947 Speaker 2: time they've made the semifinals of the global events in 15 00:01:03,027 --> 00:01:07,747 Speaker 2: this age group semifinals of the FEVER. The nineteen World 16 00:01:07,747 --> 00:01:10,987 Speaker 2: Cup head coach Matt Lacy is with us out of Switzerland. Matt, 17 00:01:10,987 --> 00:01:14,067 Speaker 2: congratulations to you and the team on a superb result. 18 00:01:14,147 --> 00:01:17,067 Speaker 2: Before we talk some specifics, how do you assist your 19 00:01:17,107 --> 00:01:20,147 Speaker 2: sides overall performance in general terms? 20 00:01:20,907 --> 00:01:23,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, overall I thought that you know, just to come 21 00:01:23,627 --> 00:01:26,107 Speaker 3: out with the wind having been down year six and 22 00:01:26,187 --> 00:01:27,947 Speaker 3: a half, that We're down ten in the second quarter 23 00:01:28,587 --> 00:01:31,467 Speaker 3: in what is really a road game, given that we 24 00:01:31,467 --> 00:01:35,627 Speaker 3: were playing the Swiss in Switzerland, a thousand fans you know, 25 00:01:35,667 --> 00:01:38,587 Speaker 3: in the building, and overall, I thought we just called it. 26 00:01:38,627 --> 00:01:43,107 Speaker 3: You know, we had our composure to us there in 27 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:46,267 Speaker 3: the second half and really kind of stake poised and 28 00:01:46,347 --> 00:01:48,907 Speaker 3: big moments. Though we were under the pump a little 29 00:01:48,907 --> 00:01:50,667 Speaker 3: bit in the first half. We've got a little bit rushed, 30 00:01:50,667 --> 00:01:52,827 Speaker 3: but overall, just really pleased with the guys bounce back 31 00:01:52,867 --> 00:01:53,587 Speaker 3: in the second half. 32 00:01:53,707 --> 00:01:55,427 Speaker 2: Yeah, the third quarter was the big one. You won 33 00:01:55,467 --> 00:01:58,227 Speaker 2: that twenty nine to twelve. What were the conversations you 34 00:01:58,307 --> 00:02:00,187 Speaker 2: had with your players at halftime? 35 00:02:01,427 --> 00:02:03,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it was just that offensively, you know, 36 00:02:03,427 --> 00:02:05,187 Speaker 3: we needed to slow down and just you know, they 37 00:02:05,187 --> 00:02:07,947 Speaker 3: were really up and then during us, and we just 38 00:02:07,947 --> 00:02:09,467 Speaker 3: needed to kind of take our time a little bit 39 00:02:09,467 --> 00:02:13,507 Speaker 3: more and handle pressure a little bit better, which we did, 40 00:02:13,547 --> 00:02:15,307 Speaker 3: and I think we kind of just played into the 41 00:02:15,347 --> 00:02:16,707 Speaker 3: height of the game a little bit, you know, the 42 00:02:16,707 --> 00:02:20,147 Speaker 3: crowd and the energy of the opposition. So the message 43 00:02:20,187 --> 00:02:22,867 Speaker 3: really was just to stay calm and play our game, 44 00:02:22,947 --> 00:02:25,307 Speaker 3: and I thought we kind of took a breath and 45 00:02:25,507 --> 00:02:27,107 Speaker 3: we made a couple of shots on the night where 46 00:02:27,107 --> 00:02:29,387 Speaker 3: we didn't shoot the ball well, but that third quarter 47 00:02:29,467 --> 00:02:31,787 Speaker 3: kind of got us going, and then overall we just 48 00:02:31,827 --> 00:02:33,747 Speaker 3: rebounded the ball a little bit better in the third two. 49 00:02:34,107 --> 00:02:36,187 Speaker 2: Could you feel the momentum of the game shift? It 50 00:02:36,547 --> 00:02:38,667 Speaker 2: was there a point during that third quarter where the 51 00:02:38,747 --> 00:02:40,947 Speaker 2: energy of the game shifted into your favor. 52 00:02:42,067 --> 00:02:44,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so. I mean, Hayden Jones was huge tonight, 53 00:02:44,907 --> 00:02:48,147 Speaker 3: just you know, top scoring for us, but just the 54 00:02:48,147 --> 00:02:50,507 Speaker 3: poise that he had, and there are a few players 55 00:02:50,507 --> 00:02:52,307 Speaker 3: where he got downhill into the pane and got to 56 00:02:52,347 --> 00:02:54,587 Speaker 3: two feet and whether he got the score for the 57 00:02:54,667 --> 00:02:56,307 Speaker 3: layout or got fouled. You know, we got to the 58 00:02:56,347 --> 00:02:59,027 Speaker 3: three throw line well on that third quarter, and I think, 59 00:02:59,067 --> 00:03:02,467 Speaker 3: as you just kind of build positions on top of 60 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:04,587 Speaker 3: each other, and Hayden was kind of at the forefront 61 00:03:04,627 --> 00:03:07,987 Speaker 3: of that for us. The tide started to turn. Even 62 00:03:08,027 --> 00:03:09,827 Speaker 3: though we didn't take the lead initially, you know, kind 63 00:03:09,827 --> 00:03:11,347 Speaker 3: of things swung in our favor. For sure. 64 00:03:11,707 --> 00:03:13,507 Speaker 2: I look at his at his stat line. I know 65 00:03:13,547 --> 00:03:15,827 Speaker 2: it's a team game, but twenty three points, nine rebounds, 66 00:03:15,867 --> 00:03:18,827 Speaker 2: five assists, four blocks, You reckon, he might end up 67 00:03:18,867 --> 00:03:19,987 Speaker 2: being better than his old man. 68 00:03:22,707 --> 00:03:24,787 Speaker 3: Hey, He's he's got all the making through it. I 69 00:03:24,827 --> 00:03:27,787 Speaker 3: mean Fire was pretty good in his own right, but no, Hayden. 70 00:03:28,347 --> 00:03:31,507 Speaker 3: Hayden's been He's been huge. I mean tonight lit or tournament. 71 00:03:31,587 --> 00:03:33,187 Speaker 3: I mean, I think it's the second game his top 72 00:03:33,227 --> 00:03:36,587 Speaker 3: squads have that stat line. And you know the thing 73 00:03:36,627 --> 00:03:39,427 Speaker 3: about tonight was our point guard Tom Isaac, who's been tremendous, 74 00:03:39,467 --> 00:03:41,747 Speaker 3: was in oul trouble, and so Hayden had to step 75 00:03:41,827 --> 00:03:43,867 Speaker 3: up and take have the ball in his hands a 76 00:03:43,907 --> 00:03:46,267 Speaker 3: little bit more. And I think that's just a sign 77 00:03:46,307 --> 00:03:49,867 Speaker 3: of a really, really talented young man that can kind 78 00:03:49,867 --> 00:03:51,547 Speaker 3: of move out of position and take on the road 79 00:03:51,587 --> 00:03:53,947 Speaker 3: when our starting PG has to sit. 80 00:03:54,867 --> 00:03:56,987 Speaker 2: The under seventeen tall Blacks made the semis at their 81 00:03:57,027 --> 00:03:59,147 Speaker 2: World Cup last year. There are five from what I 82 00:03:59,187 --> 00:04:01,667 Speaker 2: can see from that squad and this one. Are we 83 00:04:01,787 --> 00:04:03,787 Speaker 2: looking mad at a? I mean, I don't want to 84 00:04:03,787 --> 00:04:05,187 Speaker 2: sort of put the cart before the horse, but a 85 00:04:05,227 --> 00:04:08,227 Speaker 2: golden generation to match what we had in the early 86 00:04:08,267 --> 00:04:09,707 Speaker 2: two thousands, we'll do. 87 00:04:09,747 --> 00:04:13,227 Speaker 3: That, yeah, I think so, you know, I mean, I 88 00:04:13,267 --> 00:04:16,067 Speaker 3: think the numbers speak for themselves. You know, we've got 89 00:04:16,067 --> 00:04:18,267 Speaker 3: twelve players here. Ten have been playing in the sous 90 00:04:18,347 --> 00:04:21,547 Speaker 3: NBL and rapidly. Nine of them are on scholarship in 91 00:04:21,587 --> 00:04:24,307 Speaker 3: the US or heading over there shortly, aid of which 92 00:04:24,307 --> 00:04:27,547 Speaker 3: are at the Division IE level. So I think it 93 00:04:28,107 --> 00:04:30,467 Speaker 3: is very much that, But I would say too like 94 00:04:31,347 --> 00:04:33,147 Speaker 3: it's also a sign of the times in New Zealand. 95 00:04:33,187 --> 00:04:35,387 Speaker 3: I mean basketball is growing. You know, we've got another 96 00:04:35,427 --> 00:04:37,147 Speaker 3: team in China right now that have just been in 97 00:04:37,187 --> 00:04:39,867 Speaker 3: Australia twice in a couple of games there. You know, 98 00:04:39,947 --> 00:04:43,787 Speaker 3: I think I think New Zealanders can get used to 99 00:04:44,827 --> 00:04:49,387 Speaker 3: more competitive basketball teams, but a nation that has swung 100 00:04:49,427 --> 00:04:52,147 Speaker 3: that way in terms of participation, and ultimately we're kind 101 00:04:52,147 --> 00:04:54,307 Speaker 3: of showing that now on the world stage with some 102 00:04:54,347 --> 00:04:56,987 Speaker 3: of these performances at the judicial and just. 103 00:04:56,987 --> 00:04:59,067 Speaker 2: On that as well. Is there a feeling now among 104 00:04:59,147 --> 00:05:02,747 Speaker 2: the playing group that participating at these tournaments is no 105 00:05:02,867 --> 00:05:06,067 Speaker 2: longer enough, that winning games and going deep into them 106 00:05:06,547 --> 00:05:08,547 Speaker 2: is the new reality for these guys. 107 00:05:09,387 --> 00:05:11,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so. And you know one thing that 108 00:05:11,067 --> 00:05:13,747 Speaker 3: we've reflected on as a coaching staff, where they're playing 109 00:05:13,907 --> 00:05:17,587 Speaker 3: pros every week, you know, they're playing alongside veterans and 110 00:05:17,627 --> 00:05:20,107 Speaker 3: tall blacks and playing against them, and it's just hardening 111 00:05:20,147 --> 00:05:22,907 Speaker 3: them to high level hoops. And so when you come 112 00:05:22,947 --> 00:05:25,627 Speaker 3: to a tournament like this and you're playing your peers, 113 00:05:25,747 --> 00:05:28,627 Speaker 3: very talented peers for sure, but you know, there's a 114 00:05:28,707 --> 00:05:32,787 Speaker 3: there's an experienced factor, there's a confidence factor there, and 115 00:05:32,827 --> 00:05:36,667 Speaker 3: I think the mindsetisenly changed from let's qualify for these 116 00:05:37,027 --> 00:05:39,267 Speaker 3: for these events, and now that's gone and win a medal. 117 00:05:40,147 --> 00:05:42,787 Speaker 2: So a semi final now against the United States of America, 118 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:44,467 Speaker 2: I guess that could be in some ways a little 119 00:05:44,467 --> 00:05:46,587 Speaker 2: bit daunting. How do you how do you prepare your 120 00:05:46,587 --> 00:05:47,267 Speaker 2: team for that one? 121 00:05:48,627 --> 00:05:50,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean we've just got back to the hotel, 122 00:05:50,467 --> 00:05:52,827 Speaker 3: so we're going to need and go away and put 123 00:05:52,867 --> 00:05:55,347 Speaker 3: some schemes together. But you know, they got pushed all 124 00:05:55,347 --> 00:05:57,347 Speaker 3: the way to the life by Canada just in their 125 00:05:57,427 --> 00:06:01,107 Speaker 3: quarterfinal and only won by a few points. They were 126 00:06:01,107 --> 00:06:02,787 Speaker 3: down in the four. So I think, you know, that 127 00:06:02,867 --> 00:06:05,147 Speaker 3: gives us some confidence that you know, this is a 128 00:06:05,467 --> 00:06:09,667 Speaker 3: this is a very talented and you know, athletic team, 129 00:06:09,707 --> 00:06:13,827 Speaker 3: but they're also not invincible, and so you know, excited 130 00:06:13,867 --> 00:06:16,067 Speaker 3: for the opportunity, sided for the challenge. These boys are 131 00:06:16,067 --> 00:06:18,387 Speaker 3: all heading over to the US to play in the 132 00:06:18,387 --> 00:06:22,587 Speaker 3: collegiate system, alongside them, against them, and so to get 133 00:06:22,587 --> 00:06:24,187 Speaker 3: a crack at them tomorrow night. It's going to be 134 00:06:24,467 --> 00:06:26,267 Speaker 3: an exciting opportunity. 135 00:06:26,267 --> 00:06:27,947 Speaker 2: As you say, road game for you, but look like 136 00:06:27,987 --> 00:06:30,307 Speaker 2: a good key week contingent of support in the stands. 137 00:06:30,307 --> 00:06:31,787 Speaker 2: You're getting good support over. 138 00:06:31,667 --> 00:06:36,147 Speaker 3: There, Yeah we are. We've got some really excited and 139 00:06:36,227 --> 00:06:38,987 Speaker 3: passionate parents with us and family members that were sitting 140 00:06:38,987 --> 00:06:41,507 Speaker 3: behind the bench and yeah we got the we got 141 00:06:41,547 --> 00:06:45,187 Speaker 3: the defense chart going there for a second, and yeah, 142 00:06:45,467 --> 00:06:47,427 Speaker 3: really really nice to have when you're in a when 143 00:06:47,467 --> 00:06:49,187 Speaker 3: you're surrounded by a CF Swiss. 144 00:06:49,747 --> 00:06:51,707 Speaker 2: Love it. Matt. Congrats again, mate, go and get that 145 00:06:51,787 --> 00:06:55,507 Speaker 2: voice rested up for a semi final against the United States. 146 00:06:55,627 --> 00:06:57,027 Speaker 2: Well done to you on the team mate, Thanks for 147 00:06:57,067 --> 00:06:58,067 Speaker 2: joining us this afternoon. 148 00:06:58,187 --> 00:07:00,107 Speaker 3: Sure, Jason, thank you mate. 149 00:07:00,107 --> 00:07:02,387 Speaker 2: That is our Matt Lacey, head coach of the Junior 150 00:07:02,427 --> 00:07:05,427 Speaker 2: Tall Blacks. So into the semi finals they go six 151 00:07:05,467 --> 00:07:08,027 Speaker 2: o'clock tomorrow morning in New Zealand time is when you 152 00:07:08,107 --> 00:07:09,827 Speaker 2: need to be up and about to check out their 153 00:07:09,867 --> 00:07:13,307 Speaker 2: semi final against the United States of America. Who would 154 00:07:13,347 --> 00:07:15,307 Speaker 2: have thought it. For back to back years, one of 155 00:07:15,307 --> 00:07:19,147 Speaker 2: our underage means basketball teams into the semifinals of their 156 00:07:19,187 --> 00:07:19,787 Speaker 2: World Cup. 157 00:07:20,427 --> 00:07:23,587 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 158 00:07:23,707 --> 00:07:26,987 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow 159 00:07:27,027 --> 00:07:28,627 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio