Gangurrus claim bronze at Champions Cup
Only touching down in Thailand on Thursday, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Dillon Stith, Jonah Antonio and Josh Davey had limited time together before their first appearance on the half court.
With Antonio and Davey spending the 2022-23 season together in Cairns, and Antonio, Higgins-Titsha and Stith working together over the past seven months – all under Gangurrus coach Adam Forde – it was a side familiar with each other’s play styles, allowing them to get up to speed quickly ahead of the event.
First facing France, who won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Australians faced a tough matchup on the first night of competition.
Allowing their European rivals to stretch out to an early 5-0 lead, it took three minutes before Higgins-Titsha was able to put the Gangurrus on the scoreboard – beginning a 8-4 run across the following four minutes with gap steadily closing to France.
Showing off their strength, Stith and Davey both dominated the glass with a game high six boards each, with the current Taipan drawing comparisons to Giannis Antetokounmpo from the commentary in his first appearance in the green and gold.
However, dialling in from distance allowed France to grab the upper hand see out the opening game 17-13.
The next test for the Australians was host nation Thailand, who had fallen to the United States in their first group game.
After putting up nine points in his first appearance, Higgins-Titsha continued his scoring streak and joined with Stith to pile on the points early – an early warning sign for what was to come.
Finding their feet in the format, the Gangurrus took care of their Asia Cup rivals in what would be the second fastest game of the night – reaching 21 points in 6:55 to end the matchup early.
Led by Higgins-Titsha who shot at 75% across eight attempts for 10 points, the forward locked down on the defensive end to finish with three blocks, with his performances quickly drawing attention to the side.
Holding the hosts to only six points on their home court, Australia’s defence was also put on show with Thailand putting up the lowest score on the men’s side of the competition and tying with Madagascar’s women’s side for the lowest total across the event.
Now battling to reach the next stage of the competition, the Gangurrus faced an undefeated United States in their final game of the pool stages.
With another strong start, the Aussies built an early lead before their opponents hit back, with Antonio draining two quick shots from deep to steal the lead straight back.
Not yielding the lead for the remainder of the matchup, the Taipans guard caught fire from range to hit six of 12 shots from behind the arc across the night, whilst Higgins-Titsha led the game on the defensive glass to limit the Americans' chances to fire back.
With Stith draining a free throw to reach 21 and call an early end to the game, the Australians had secured their semi-finals berth, with six-time World Cup winners Serbia awaiting the new-look Gangurrus.
Continuing to dominate from the start, the Australians earned an early lead at the basket – with the Serbians unable to push themselves ahead across the first half of the matchup.
Higgins-Titsha once more showed out on the offensive end as Stith locked down on the boards, however costly fouls allowed the Europeans back into the contest – with the Australians reaching 10 fouls with three minutes left in the game, and each subsequent foul handing Serbia two free throws and possession for the remainder of the matchup.
The World Cup champions looked ready to close out the semi-final before a Higgins-Titsha shot from deep tied the contest as time expired.
Reaching overtime, Serbia continued to hold the upper hand, and repeated drives to the basket yielded the two points required to end the game – sending Australia to the bronze medal game.
Facing the United States once more, both sides struggled to push themselves ahead before the Taipans trio took control to blast out to a lead, with Antonio pushing it to five points at one stage.
Steadily reducing the margin in the race for the bronze, the Americans were able to edge themselves ahead before Stith took control – tying the game at 20-20 with 30 seconds left on the clock.
Both teams were searching for a bucket to reach 21 points and deal the final blow, and it was Stith who drove to the basket – drawing contact which sent him to the free throw line and ultimately delivered the Gangurrus the win.
Earning themselves a bronze medal – Australia’s second medal outside of the 3x3 Asia Cup for the men’s program, their first being silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – it was a sign of great things to come after three of the four players made their international debut at the event, with Jonah Antonio and Head Coach Adam Forde making their debuts in the format.
In only his second 3x3 event after the 2021 UniSport Nationals, Alex Higgins-Titsha ended the competition ranked first for shooting efficiency from range at 50% (12% better than any other player), second for scoring overall, first for blocks (seven blocks to his name, which was more than any team), and third for rebounds, earning him Team of the Tournament honours.
The Gangurrus will return to action in just over a week when they appear in the 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore to defend their crown with Forde once more leading the side, with the playing roster yet to be confirmed.
They’ll suit up on the fourth day of competition after bypassing the qualifying draw, with their first game on Saturday, 29 March at 6:10pm AEST.
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