July 4, 2025 • 7 mins
The Junior Tall Blacks incredible run has continued at the Under 19 World Cup in Lausanne. New Zealand has surged to an historic quarter-final win against the hosts Switzerland, booking their place in the semifinals against USA
Down by six points at halftime, the junior Tall Blacks won 84-70 - the first time they've made the semi-finals of the global event in this age group.
Head coach Matt Lacey joined the show to chat about the team's incredible achievement.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB Basketball.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Because New Zealand has surged to an historic quarterfinal win
over hosts Switzerland at basketball's Under nineteen World Cup.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Touch baseline creates happoint Judes getting.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Round a defender Jones.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
The night goes to New Zealand as they claimed their
first ever trip to the FEVER United Team Basketball World
Cup semi finals, and it will in the second half
like no other, New Zealand has outsports Switzerland forty six
the twenty six in the last forty minutes.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Down by six points at a half time, the junior
toll Blacks won eighty four points to seventy, the first
time they've made the semifinals of the global events in
this age group semifinals of the FEVER. The nineteen World
Cup head coach Matt Lacy is with us out of Switzerland. Matt,
congratulations to you and the team on a superb result.
(01:14):
Before we talk some specifics, how do you assist your
sides overall performance in general terms?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Yeah, overall I thought that you know, just to come
out with the wind having been down year six and
a half, that We're down ten in the second quarter
in what is really a road game, given that we
were playing the Swiss in Switzerland, a thousand fans you know,
in the building, and overall, I thought we just called it.
You know, we had our composure to us there in
(01:43):
the second half and really kind of stake poised and
big moments. Though we were under the pump a little
bit in the first half. We've got a little bit rushed,
but overall, just really pleased with the guys bounce back
in the second half.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, the third quarter was the big one. You won
that twenty nine to twelve. What were the conversations you
had with your players at halftime?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yeah, I think it was just that offensively, you know,
we needed to slow down and just you know, they
were really up and then during us, and we just
needed to kind of take our time a little bit
more and handle pressure a little bit better, which we did,
and I think we kind of just played into the
height of the game a little bit, you know, the
crowd and the energy of the opposition. So the message
really was just to stay calm and play our game,
(02:22):
and I thought we kind of took a breath and
we made a couple of shots on the night where
we didn't shoot the ball well, but that third quarter
kind of got us going, and then overall we just
rebounded the ball a little bit better in the third two.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Could you feel the momentum of the game shift? It
was there a point during that third quarter where the
energy of the game shifted into your favor.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Yeah, I think so. I mean, Hayden Jones was huge tonight,
just you know, top scoring for us, but just the
poise that he had, and there are a few players
where he got downhill into the pane and got to
two feet and whether he got the score for the
layout or got fouled. You know, we got to the
three throw line well on that third quarter, and I think,
as you just kind of build positions on top of
(03:02):
each other, and Hayden was kind of at the forefront
of that for us. The tide started to turn. Even
though we didn't take the lead initially, you know, kind
of things swung in our favor. For sure.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
I look at his at his stat line. I know
it's a team game, but twenty three points, nine rebounds,
five assists, four blocks, You reckon, he might end up
being better than his old man.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Hey, He's he's got all the making through it. I
mean Fire was pretty good in his own right, but no, Hayden.
Hayden's been He's been huge. I mean tonight lit or tournament.
I mean, I think it's the second game his top
squads have that stat line. And you know the thing
about tonight was our point guard Tom Isaac, who's been tremendous,
was in oul trouble, and so Hayden had to step
up and take have the ball in his hands a
(03:43):
little bit more. And I think that's just a sign
of a really, really talented young man that can kind
of move out of position and take on the road
when our starting PG has to sit.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
The under seventeen tall Blacks made the semis at their
World Cup last year. There are five from what I
can see from that squad and this one. Are we
looking mad at a? I mean, I don't want to
sort of put the cart before the horse, but a
golden generation to match what we had in the early
two thousands, we'll do.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
That, yeah, I think so, you know, I mean, I
think the numbers speak for themselves. You know, we've got
twelve players here. Ten have been playing in the sous
NBL and rapidly. Nine of them are on scholarship in
the US or heading over there shortly, aid of which
are at the Division IE level. So I think it
is very much that, But I would say too like
(04:31):
it's also a sign of the times in New Zealand.
I mean basketball is growing. You know, we've got another
team in China right now that have just been in
Australia twice in a couple of games there. You know,
I think I think New Zealanders can get used to
more competitive basketball teams, but a nation that has swung
that way in terms of participation, and ultimately we're kind
(04:52):
of showing that now on the world stage with some
of these performances at the judicial and just.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
On that as well. Is there a feeling now among
the playing group that participating at these tournaments is no
longer enough, that winning games and going deep into them
is the new reality for these guys.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, I think so. And you know one thing that
we've reflected on as a coaching staff, where they're playing
pros every week, you know, they're playing alongside veterans and
tall blacks and playing against them, and it's just hardening
them to high level hoops. And so when you come
to a tournament like this and you're playing your peers,
very talented peers for sure, but you know, there's a
there's an experienced factor, there's a confidence factor there, and
(05:32):
I think the mindsetisenly changed from let's qualify for these
for these events, and now that's gone and win a medal.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
So a semi final now against the United States of America,
I guess that could be in some ways a little
bit daunting. How do you how do you prepare your
team for that one?
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Yeah, I mean we've just got back to the hotel,
so we're going to need and go away and put
some schemes together. But you know, they got pushed all
the way to the life by Canada just in their
quarterfinal and only won by a few points. They were
down in the four. So I think, you know, that
gives us some confidence that you know, this is a
this is a very talented and you know, athletic team,
(06:09):
but they're also not invincible, and so you know, excited
for the opportunity, sided for the challenge. These boys are
all heading over to the US to play in the
collegiate system, alongside them, against them, and so to get
a crack at them tomorrow night. It's going to be
an exciting opportunity.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
As you say, road game for you, but look like
a good key week contingent of support in the stands.
You're getting good support over.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
There, Yeah we are. We've got some really excited and
passionate parents with us and family members that were sitting
behind the bench and yeah we got the we got
the defense chart going there for a second, and yeah,
really really nice to have when you're in a when
you're surrounded by a CF Swiss.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Love it. Matt. Congrats again, mate, go and get that
voice rested up for a semi final against the United States.
Well done to you on the team mate, Thanks for
joining us this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Sure, Jason, thank you mate.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
That is our Matt Lacey, head coach of the Junior
Tall Blacks. So into the semi finals they go six
o'clock tomorrow morning in New Zealand time is when you
need to be up and about to check out their
semi final against the United States of America. Who would
have thought it. For back to back years, one of
our underage means basketball teams into the semifinals of their
World Cup.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB Basketball.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Because New Zealand has surged to an historic quarterfinal win
over hosts Switzerland at basketball's Under nineteen World Cup.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Touch baseline creates happoint Judes getting.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Round a defender Jones.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
The night goes to New Zealand as they claimed their
first ever trip to the FEVER United Team Basketball World
Cup semi finals, and it will in the second half
like no other, New Zealand has outsports Switzerland forty six
the twenty six in the last forty minutes.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Down by six points at a half time, the junior
toll Blacks won eighty four points to seventy, the first
time they've made the semifinals of the global events in
this age group semifinals of the FEVER. The nineteen World
Cup head coach Matt Lacy is with us out of Switzerland. Matt,
congratulations to you and the team on a superb result.
(01:14):
Before we talk some specifics, how do you assist your
sides overall performance in general terms?
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Yeah, overall I thought that you know, just to come
out with the wind having been down year six and
a half, that We're down ten in the second quarter
in what is really a road game, given that we
were playing the Swiss in Switzerland, a thousand fans you know,
in the building, and overall, I thought we just called it.
You know, we had our composure to us there in
(01:43):
the second half and really kind of stake poised and
big moments. Though we were under the pump a little
bit in the first half. We've got a little bit rushed,
but overall, just really pleased with the guys bounce back
in the second half.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, the third quarter was the big one. You won
that twenty nine to twelve. What were the conversations you
had with your players at halftime?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yeah, I think it was just that offensively, you know,
we needed to slow down and just you know, they
were really up and then during us, and we just
needed to kind of take our time a little bit
more and handle pressure a little bit better, which we did,
and I think we kind of just played into the
height of the game a little bit, you know, the
crowd and the energy of the opposition. So the message
really was just to stay calm and play our game,
(02:22):
and I thought we kind of took a breath and
we made a couple of shots on the night where
we didn't shoot the ball well, but that third quarter
kind of got us going, and then overall we just
rebounded the ball a little bit better in the third two.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Could you feel the momentum of the game shift? It
was there a point during that third quarter where the
energy of the game shifted into your favor.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Yeah, I think so. I mean, Hayden Jones was huge tonight,
just you know, top scoring for us, but just the
poise that he had, and there are a few players
where he got downhill into the pane and got to
two feet and whether he got the score for the
layout or got fouled. You know, we got to the
three throw line well on that third quarter, and I think,
as you just kind of build positions on top of
(03:02):
each other, and Hayden was kind of at the forefront
of that for us. The tide started to turn. Even
though we didn't take the lead initially, you know, kind
of things swung in our favor. For sure.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
I look at his at his stat line. I know
it's a team game, but twenty three points, nine rebounds,
five assists, four blocks, You reckon, he might end up
being better than his old man.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Hey, He's he's got all the making through it. I
mean Fire was pretty good in his own right, but no, Hayden.
Hayden's been He's been huge. I mean tonight lit or tournament.
I mean, I think it's the second game his top
squads have that stat line. And you know the thing
about tonight was our point guard Tom Isaac, who's been tremendous,
was in oul trouble, and so Hayden had to step
up and take have the ball in his hands a
(03:43):
little bit more. And I think that's just a sign
of a really, really talented young man that can kind
of move out of position and take on the road
when our starting PG has to sit.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
The under seventeen tall Blacks made the semis at their
World Cup last year. There are five from what I
can see from that squad and this one. Are we
looking mad at a? I mean, I don't want to
sort of put the cart before the horse, but a
golden generation to match what we had in the early
two thousands, we'll do.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
That, yeah, I think so, you know, I mean, I
think the numbers speak for themselves. You know, we've got
twelve players here. Ten have been playing in the sous
NBL and rapidly. Nine of them are on scholarship in
the US or heading over there shortly, aid of which
are at the Division IE level. So I think it
is very much that, But I would say too like
(04:31):
it's also a sign of the times in New Zealand.
I mean basketball is growing. You know, we've got another
team in China right now that have just been in
Australia twice in a couple of games there. You know,
I think I think New Zealanders can get used to
more competitive basketball teams, but a nation that has swung
that way in terms of participation, and ultimately we're kind
(04:52):
of showing that now on the world stage with some
of these performances at the judicial and just.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
On that as well. Is there a feeling now among
the playing group that participating at these tournaments is no
longer enough, that winning games and going deep into them
is the new reality for these guys.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, I think so. And you know one thing that
we've reflected on as a coaching staff, where they're playing
pros every week, you know, they're playing alongside veterans and
tall blacks and playing against them, and it's just hardening
them to high level hoops. And so when you come
to a tournament like this and you're playing your peers,
very talented peers for sure, but you know, there's a
there's an experienced factor, there's a confidence factor there, and
(05:32):
I think the mindsetisenly changed from let's qualify for these
for these events, and now that's gone and win a medal.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
So a semi final now against the United States of America,
I guess that could be in some ways a little
bit daunting. How do you how do you prepare your
team for that one?
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Yeah, I mean we've just got back to the hotel,
so we're going to need and go away and put
some schemes together. But you know, they got pushed all
the way to the life by Canada just in their
quarterfinal and only won by a few points. They were
down in the four. So I think, you know, that
gives us some confidence that you know, this is a
this is a very talented and you know, athletic team,
(06:09):
but they're also not invincible, and so you know, excited
for the opportunity, sided for the challenge. These boys are
all heading over to the US to play in the
collegiate system, alongside them, against them, and so to get
a crack at them tomorrow night. It's going to be
an exciting opportunity.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
As you say, road game for you, but look like
a good key week contingent of support in the stands.
You're getting good support over.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
There, Yeah we are. We've got some really excited and
passionate parents with us and family members that were sitting
behind the bench and yeah we got the we got
the defense chart going there for a second, and yeah,
really really nice to have when you're in a when
you're surrounded by a CF Swiss.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Love it. Matt. Congrats again, mate, go and get that
voice rested up for a semi final against the United States.
Well done to you on the team mate, Thanks for
joining us this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Sure, Jason, thank you mate.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
That is our Matt Lacey, head coach of the Junior
Tall Blacks. So into the semi finals they go six
o'clock tomorrow morning in New Zealand time is when you
need to be up and about to check out their
semi final against the United States of America. Who would
have thought it. For back to back years, one of
our underage means basketball teams into the semifinals of their
World Cup.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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