Scotland Men
Gareth Murray, Jonny Bunyan, Kyle Jimenez, Fraser Malcolm
Scotland Wheelchair Women
Jude Hamer, Lynsey Speirs, Jess Whyte, Robyn Love
Scotland Women
Claire Paxton, Hannah Robb, Kennedy Leonard, Siân Phillips
Commonwealth Games 2022 | Round Up
Day One – Friday 29th July | Group Stage
We tipped off the tournament with our Women taking to the court to face Australia. Both teams started strong, however Australia hit their groove with 6 and a half minutes to go. Scotland pulled out all the stops to stay in the game, but it wasn’t to be as Australia picked up the win, 21-9.
Up next, it was over to our Men for their first game of the competition against Sri Lanka. Not letting first game nervous get to them, our Men looked comfortable on court from the beginning. With Malcolm picking up half of Scotland’s points, he helped lead us to our first comfortable win, 9-16.
There wasn’t too long to rest for our Men as they were first up in the second session of the day, where they face Canada in what turned into a very exciting/nail-biting game. After trading baskets back and forth, with 6.4 seconds left on the clock, the game was all tied up at 20-20. However, an incredible basket by Jimenez saw Scotland reach that 21-point mark, as the winning streak for our men continued!
The celebrations couldn’t last too long as our Women were next up on court for their second and final game of the day. Outstanding teamwork saw all four players on the scoreboard, as Scotland came away with a very comfortable win over Sri Lanka 21-5. Their first 21-point game of the tournament.
Scotland’s last game of the day saw our Women’s Wheelchair team take to the court to face the mighty Australia. Despite 5 points from Hamer, Australia took an early lead and we struggled to recover, losing the game 12-5.
Day Two – Saturday 30th July | Group Stage
Scotland only had one game on Saturday, which came from our Women’s Wheelchair team as they faced South Africa. Fresh in the face of defeat from last night, Scotland came out on all cylinders, determined to secure that all important win to send them to the semi-finals. It wasn’t long before Scotland found their groove, ultimately coming away with the win, 16-2.
Day Three – Sunday 31st July | Group Stage
It was the return of our running teams on day three. Both teams only had one game against Kenya to see where they would place in the group stages.
Up first was Scotland Men, where another close game was waiting for us. With 2 minutes 21 left on the clock, Scotland was up 12-15, but Kenya weren’t giving in as they pulled it back to a 1-point game with only 24 seconds to go. Some excellent defence from Scotland managed to hold Kenya, allowing us to take the win, 14-15, and finish top of Group A having won all three of our games.
Hoping to follow the Men’s success, our Women were up next. With all four players on the scoreboard, the game was close as they headed into the final minutes. With 23 seconds to go, Leonard drove to the basket creating a 2-point lead. Kenya, now in foul trouble, sent Leonard to the line for two. With one shot made and one missed, we were now that little bit closer to another 21-point game. Another foul by Kenya, saw Leonard once again visit the free throw line. This time she only needed the one shot to get to the magic 21 and end the game 17-21 with 4 seconds spare.
Day Four – Monday 1st August | Quarter and Semi-Finals
After finishing second in the group stage, Scotland’s Women’s team went on to face Canada in the quarter-finals. Scotland performed well, keeping Canada close by for the first half of the game. However, Canada went on to hit their stride and took a confident 11-17 win. Meaning Scotland were out of their first Commonwealth Games.
Up next was our Women Wheelchair, where they also faced Canada. Both teams had a strong start, however Canada started to pull away with just under 3 minutes remaining, taking the win 12-5. It wasn’t over for Scotland, however, as they would now play in the bronze medal game.
It was over to our Men for the last game of the day for Scotland as they took on Australia. Scotland came out with a fire beneath them and competed with Australia keeping the score close throughout. Unfortunately, with 2 minutes to go, Australia was able to pull away, and the game ended 15- 20.
Day Five – Tuesday 2nd August | Bronze Medal Games
With two Bronze medals up for grabs, and the chance to give Team Scotland its first ever medal in basketball, determination was in the air.
Up first was Scotland’s Men to face Canada once again. Just like our first meeting in the tournament, we traded baskets, keeping it very close until the end. Down 10-13, and with 36 seconds left on the clock, Jimenez was at the line for two. Making both, we were now only 1 point behind. Despite the fight and grit by all players, there wasn’t enough time left and Canada took the Bronze medal, 12-13.
Scotland’s last chance at getting a medal happened in the very next game as our Wheelchair Women took to the court to play their final game against England. In another nail-biting game, Scotland were answering every one of England’s baskets, keeping the pressure on them throughout. A spell of shots by England saw them take a 3-point lead with only 2 and a half minutes to go. Determined not to go out without a fight, Scotland fought to the very end, managing to pull it back to a 2-point game. Alas, it wasn’t to be, and England took the win, and the Bronze medal, 12-10.
Final Standings
Wheelchair Women – 4th
Men – 4th
Women – 5th
Scotland might not have come away with any medals, but this Commonwealth Games still has wins for our Scotland teams. For the first time in Games history, Scotland had a Women’s running team competing in the Games. We also had our first ever Women’s Wheelchair team in the Games – the first time that the wheelchair game has been included.
Claire, Fraser, Gareth, Hannah, Jess, Jonny, Jude, Kennedy, Kyle, Lynsey, Robyn and Siân, thank you for representing Scotland with the upmost determination and pride. You are inspiring the next generation of ballers and we are honoured to have you as part of team Scotland.
Watching our three teams coming together, supporting and cheering each other on was a definite highlight of the Games. Together, #WeAreScotland.
