U16 Lions – EC2019 – Tournament Highlights (Video)
Our U16 Belgian Lions have finished their U16 European Championship (Div. B) in 5th place with an excellent 7-1 record. Here’s a little highlight reel of their tournament and below are my impressions of the players. Staff: Yvan de Vreught & Pieter Pas (Raphael Allemand/Jacques Stas) Thijs De Ridder
Our U16 Belgian Lions have finished their U16 European Championship (Div. B) in 5th place with an excellent 7-1 record. Here’s a little highlight reel of their tournament and below are my impressions of the players.
Staff: Yvan de Vreught & Pieter Pas (Raphael Allemand/Jacques Stas)
Thijs De Ridder was impressive throughout the tournament and earned himself a spot in the All-Tournament Team with his averages of 19.3 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 spg & 1.1 bpg in 24.8 mpg. Omni-present on the court and always in attack-mode De Ridder looks like a very promising prospect as a versatile forward who can play both inside and out. Recorded 2 double-doubles in the tournament and scored an impressive 31 pts in the win against the Czech Republic.
Joppe Mennes finished the tournament with 10.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.9 apg & 2.1 spg. Very efficient scorer inside the 3pt line and also has a decent outside shot although he is very inconsistent with it, ending up with only 27.3% shooting from behind the arc. Runs the floor well and got a whole lot of points and dunks on fastbreak opportunities that he frequently created himself. Recorded the 20 pts & 10 rebs double-double against Romania.
Jo Van Buggenhout recorded averages of 5.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.8 apg & 2.4 spg. Very solid and reliable Point Guard. Struggled with his finishing touch shooting in the lower 20’s (%) on his field-goals but displayed very good decision-making, excellent passing abilities and a flair in his ballhandling and passing that at times reminded me of Jason “White Chocolate” Williams. Was also a menace on the defensive end, leading Belgium in steals.
Sean Pouedet recorded 11.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.8 apg & 2.1 spg. Exciting Guard equally adept at creating for his teammates and for himself. Displayed excellent shooting, going for 44.4% from behind the arc and 81.3% on his FT’s. Solid athlete and high basketball IQ. Had 11 asts in the game against Great Britain and showed his scoring abilities against Finland when he finished with 20 pts on 7/11 FG shooting.
Samuel Swolfs averaged 7.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg & 1.0 apg. Along with Pouedet Swolfs provided most of the outside threat and showed to have a quick trigger off the catch. Exploded for 20 pts on 6/8 3pt shooting in the win against Great Britain.