Game one with British Basketball "Game On"

Our first friendly game against the Canadian National team last night had lots of good and lots of bad. The problem was the bad out weighed the good. We lost the game by four 82-78. We came out ready to play and jumped all over them with defensive pressure and got out to a nice lead in the first quarter 26-12. Then we let down our guard and lost some of our intensity and let them get right back in the game by being outscored 24-12 in the second quarter. Basketball is such a game of runs and shifting momentum and not many players realise how important every possession is. Silly turnovers or not blocking out and giving up second chance points at ANY time in the game matters. Even in the first or second quarter. It all adds up. Well, like what happens so often in basketball, a big lead and a chance at a blow out was gone and we were now in for a tough game. The game went back and forth for the rest of the game and then Canada (Casey Archibald) hit two back to back three pointers and sealed the game.

Both teams are very young and playing without some of their "star" players but over all it was a well played game. We are without Pops Mensah-Bonsu a very good player who has played in the NBA and with top overseas teams and Luol Deng the Chicago Bull. They both got into town today. We are excited to have them both in camp! We had one of our young players step up. Matthew Bryan-Amaning who plays at the University of Washington had a solid 17pts. We will look to build on the good things we did in the game and have a better showing against a very good Finland National team tomorrow night in game two of our friendly games. I watched them play Canada and beat them by 24pts. They are a very good outside shooting team that executes their offense all game long. We will have to be at the top of our game to get our first victory.

The weather here has been outstanding low 80's during the day high 60's in the evening. Feels like fall. Found another sport to watch on TV last night........lawn bowling. lol