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Golden a 14th time!Men’s basketball avenges loss to Lithuania with 90-73 winby Colin Whited on September 14, 2009 The U.S. Men’s Basketball Team, clad in red warm-ups, stood in unison atop the podium, a place that has been U.S. property since 1957. The Americans had just been awarded the gold medal — the color they have worn since the Milan Games — ending a two-year quest for redemption that began when they lost to Lithuania in the 2007 World Championships. “I have very much respect for Lithuania,” head coach Keith Westhoelter said after the game. “They’re a great team, and they left it all on the court today.” After edging Greece, 64-57, in the semifinals Monday, the U.S. found itself in another nail-biter against defending world champion Lithuania in a packed Taipei Gymnasium on Tuesday. After the U.S. burst ahead to a 14-3 lead in the first 4:35 of the game, Lithuania was able to use its outside shooting and transition game to come back to trail USA by only five at the end of the first period. Lithuania was able to continue finding holes in the U.S. defense, while the Americans fought to answer every time the Lithuanians scored a basket. At intermission, the U.S. held a two-point lead, 42-40. Robert Haney and Sekoe White led the way at halftime with 21 and 10 points, respectively. The Lithuanians had awards of 100,000 Euros (roughly $140,000 USD) per player on the line, while the U.S. merely played for the gold medal and pride, but these two proved to be enough motivation for the Americans. In the third quarter, USA briefly squandered their lead after a Lithuania 3-pointer, trailing, 44-45, only 1 ½ minutes into the period, but White responded with a layup to put the U.S. up for good. When the U.S. finally got their press to create problems for the Lithuanians, the Americans started to pull away. “Coach just told us to have faith and believe in ourselves,” Haney said. “We were able to do that, and the result was self evident.” Down the stretch, the U.S. proved to have too much athleticism for Lithuania. In the fourth quarter, the Lithuanians argued amongst each other, in large part due to the frustration procured by the U.S. press. Forcing turnovers left and right, the Americans capitalized by turning those turnovers into transition opportunities. Throughout the Deaflympics, Westhoelter preached to his team that good defense would take them a long way. His words rang true in today’s matchup. The U.S. was able to force 25 Lithuanian turnovers and out-rebounded them, 28 to 20, something the U.S. has done in every game this Deaflympics. Haney finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals, while White was able to contribute 20 points to go along with five boards. Anton Jackson was instrumental as well, scoring 16 points and pulling down five rebounds. Jon Mowl had 10 points and dished out seven assists while committing no turnovers. Robertas Puzinas and Janis Skakun led Lithuania with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Westhoelter applauded his players for their contribution to Team USA’s run. “We worked so hard this past year preparing for the Deaflympics,” Westhoelter said of his team. “I give credit to each of our players and the coaching staff for their willingness to put in time and effort.” Before the game began, a banner hung from the stands that read, “2009 USA Basketball: RIP,” a gesture that, once the game was decided, prompted Haney to point at the banner and draw an index finger across his throat. “This game proved that we’re still the best in the world,” Haney said. But not by much anymore. “International teams are getting better fast,” Westhoelter said. “We knew coming into the Deaflympics that it wasn’t going to be easy to win, and its only going to continue to get harder.” However, both Westhoelter and Haney pledged that they would return in 2013 with aspirations of continuing USA’s dominance in basketball. The win made Westhoelter one of the most decorated people affiliated with Deaflympics basketball, bringing his record to 30-0 along with five gold medals, both as a player and a coach. His international record now stands at an amazing 47-1. The next time Team USA will see competition on an international stage is the 2011 World Championships in Palermo, Italy. For now, the U.S. coaches and players can rest on their laurels and enjoy their return to the top of the basketball world. |
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