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Next up, Mexico.
Canada downed Dominican Republic 88-71 in FIBA AmeriCup men’s basketball qualifying action Thursday in Saskatoon and will now host Mexico in a Sunday matinee match.
Game-time is 2:10 p.m. at SaskTel Centre Arena in Saskatoon.
“Obviously you look at the film and look at where we need to work on, especially defensively, and then co-ordinate our plan on that,” said Team Canada forward Mfiondu Kabengele, who led his team with 17 points Thursday along with six rebounds.
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“From the players’ perspective, enjoy the day and have a fresh sight and don’t get drunk on success and treat Mexico like we treated this team (Dominican), and just come with the energy and relentlessness that we had and continue to have all four quarters and we’ll have the same success (as Thursday).”
Quincy Guerrier had 11 points and three rebounds. Thomas Kennedy added eight points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jackson Rowe chipped in with eight points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Captain Trae Bell-Haynes had a game-high nine assists to go along with six points and three rebounds.
Canada coach Nate Mitchell admits that team will likely prepare for Mexico a little differently than Dominican Republic.
“It’s a totally different team,” he said. “The (Dominican) team that we played (Thursday) is really athletic, aggressive defensively up the floor. In preparation for (Thursday’s game), I was actually watching Mexico because they had played them (Dominican). They’re a totally different team.
“They run a little bit more off-ball actions that we’re going to have to guard and be ready for; the physicality from their wings, we need to get on Gael Bonilla. He’s a really good player. He can post up. He can make threes. Then Paul Stoll, their point guard, is a vet that can really shoot the ball. He can play pick-and-roll offence, so we’re going to have our hands full.
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“Defensively, they really pack the paint, so we’re going to really have to get them moving, put pressure on the rim and make some threes and knock down some shots, which always helps, but we want to dominate the paint offensively and defensively. We’ve got to make sure we watch film and get to it.”
Canada leads Group C with a 3-0 record in the FIBA AmeriCup men’s qualifier. Mexico is 2-1.
Mitchell was asked what it’s been like to usher in new players with the veteran players on Canada’s national senior men’s program.
“I thought the guys were almost, like, seamless (with) the young guys that came in. I think that’s a testament to how we’re building the federation,” he said.
“I mean, we had guys (Nate Darling among them) that were on our U-19 gold-medal team get a chance to play up with the senior national men’s team. I also coached three guys (Marcus Carr, Thomas Kennedy and Quincy Guerrier) in the Global Jam two years ago that are now playing on our senior team and so they’re very comfortable with me as a coach.
“And that continuity that we’ve been able to do in Canada basketball, that wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of Rowan Barrett (national men’s team general manager) and Michael Bartlett (Canada Basketball president and CEO) making sure that there are steps in order for all our players in our pool to get reps at the national level. I think that shows how they are able to play (this week) and I hope it continues to go.”
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Canada’s national senior men’s team is playing in Saskatoon for the very first time.
“I thought it was an extreme honour to represent our country here in Saskatchewan,” said Mitchell.
“We talk about the privilege to pay homage, especially to the people of the land that we’re on. It’s very important to understand where we are and I thought it was great and we hope to come back again. This is beautiful. Everybody’s been great. People at the arena, people at the hotel. It’s a very good experience for me.”
dzary@postmedia.com
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