Great Britain U18 Women finish 12th at FIBA European Championships
The Great Britain Under-18 Women placed 12th at the FIBA European Youth Championships at the conclusion of the tournament in Bulgaria.
Head coach Karen Burton’s team ended with a 2-5 record after seven games in Sofia and had to contend with injuries to key players.
In the group stage, they fell to narrow losses to Bosnia & Herzegovina (55-48) Ireland (58-55) and Norway (57-55).
They picked up a 58-51 victory over Denmark in the first round of classifications games. Olivia Forster led the GB scoring with a game-high 23 points (4/7 from 3pt) as the team used a powerhouse 14-3 final quarter to come from behind.
And they added a second win – this time over North Macedonia – with Natalie Charity leading the scoring with 12 points. Felicia Jacobs Abiola had 11 with 10 rebounds, with Forster chipping in another 11.
But GB fell short against the Netherlands (74-53), with Forster scoring a team-high 10, and to Estonia in the play-off for 11th place in their final contest.
Head coach Karen Burton said:
“This group was one of the best groups I have coached for coming in and trusting our process. We wanted to do simple things but really well. The biggest thing we wanted to implement was a culture of accountability and effort for our team, not just ourselves, understanding the level needed to be obtained to be consistent with ourselves to compete.
“They did this and it wasn’t easy for them. But we wanted to start to build a strong foundation for more than a one-year team with seven lower age players experiencing the tournament – a steep learning curve one with they handled with the same approach every single time.
“We’re we disappointed with the results of course we were. Losing Leia (Edwards) was a massive blow to us and then Katie (Cox) and then Olivia (Forster), but that’s basketball and it happens sometimes.
“The players know that they have to be accountable for their learning throughout the season where the games are easy and maintain the level needed so we are not in the same position next year.”
Scores
30.6.23, 6.30pm : Bosnia & Herzegovina 55-48 Great Britain – Boxscore
2.7.23, 11am: Great Britain 55-58 Ireland – Boxscore
5.6.23, 1.30pm: Norway 57-55 Great Britain – Boxscore
6.7.23, 1.30pm: Denmark 51-58 Great Britain – Boxscore
7.7.23, 1.30pm: Great Britain 64-62 North Macedonia – Boxscore
8.7.23, 1pm: Netherlands 74-53 Great Britain – Boxscore
9.7.23, 11am: Great Britain 40-53 Estonia – Boxscore
Roster
Valerie Cassidy-De Falco – Nottingham Wildcats
Natalie Charity – Nottingham Wildcats
Katie Cox – Sevenoaks Suns
Leia Edwards – Sierra Canyon
Olivia Forster – Ipswich
Felicia Jacobs-Abiola – Southwark Pride
Esther Kursite-Kobri – Southwark Pride
Alexandra McIntosh – Ayr Storm
Yemisi Mefful – Nottingham Wildcats
Zoe Sharpe – Caledonia Gladiators
Grace Strickland – Barking Abbey
Violet Stutz – Southwark Pride
Reserves:
Kerry McGhee – Caledonia Gladiators
Alina Riley – Nottingham Wildcats
Staff
Head Coach – Karen Burton
Assistant Coach – Siobhan Prior
Assistant Coach – Lauren Milligan
Team Manager – Honor Campbell
Physiotherapist – Wuraola Ijelu
Media Officer – Lauren Newham