Barking shock Joventut in first ANGT game since 2009-10

U18 Barking Abbey London surprised U18 Joventut Badalona by winning its return to the Euroleaguee Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament with a 70-67 victory at the ANGT Kaunas. Cameron Hildreth poured in 35 points to go with 5 rebounds, 7 steals, 2 blocks and 15 fouls drawn for a performance index rating of 45 in the Group B win. Barking, which had only previously played in the ANGT in 2009-10, survived committing 26 turnovers as it forced Joventut into 38 turnovers. Kriss Helmanis paced the 2013 continental champion Joventut with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Adria Domenech had 13 points and Joel Juarez added 10 points.

Hildreth scored the first five points of the game and Barking was up 7-2. But Joventut got three-pointers from Iker Montero and Guillem Vazquez in a 1-15 finish to the first quarter for an 8-17 lead after 10 minutes. Montero’s free throw extended the lead to 8-18 before Hildreth finally scored again for Barking and his trey made it 13-18. Juarez was on target from long range as Joventut pushed ahead 13-25. Barking rushed back into the game with an 11-0 run to pull within 26-27. Domenech answered with four points and Joventut was up 30-33 at the break. Joventut put together a 2-10 spurt to open a 34-43 lead. Barking would not go away and Titus Warari knocked down back-to-back triples and the gap was 44-47. Domenech responded with a three-point play and Joventut was up 47-53 after 30 minutes. Hildreth started the final frame with a three-ball and his next basket made it 56-58. Helmanis scored two baskets to keep Joventut ahead but Hildreth drained three free throws to get Barking within 66-67 with 37 seconds left. Helmanis committed an offensive foul with 18 seconds to play with Hildreth answering with a driving layup to put Barking up 68-67. Helmanis turned the ball over again with 6 seconds remaining and Hildreth iced the victory with two free throws with 0.3 seconds to go.