Scotland’s basketball teams created Commonwealth Games history on home soil after winning the nation’s first-ever medals in a team event. The men’s side claimed bronze before the women’s wheelchair team followed with silver in a landmark night in Glasgow.
Historic Night for Scottish Basketball
The nation had never before won a Commonwealth gong in any team event but changed all that on a memorable night in Glasgow, bagging men’s bronze before women’s wheelchair silver. First, the men’s side sent the SEC into raptures with a heart-thumping triumph over New Zealand to scramble onto the podium. And while the women’s wheelchair team were unable to battle past England in their final, a second medal was still secure.
Men’s Bronze: A Thrilling Victory
Scotland’s men’s team narrowly missed out on a medal in both the Gold Coast and Birmingham, where they went down by a single point against Canada. But they banished those demons in thrilling fashion to battle over the line 18-16 and indelibly etch their name in Scottish Commonwealth folklore. Scottish star Owen McCormack said: “It’s unbelievable. We’ve been a very close-knit group – it’s great to see so much success for Scottish basketball. When I’m much older I will have all these awesome stories to tell – the crowd, the atmosphere and the amazing support from our families and fans, it’s been perfect.”
Women’s Wheelchair Silver
The women’s wheelchair side lost 18-10 to England in the final after overcoming Australia earlier in the day. Scottish star Jodie Waite said: “The goal was to go out and create history for those watching us, and I’m so glad we can do that. It highlights the strength of both Scottish basketball – that’s amazing for us considering all the teams that were out there.”
Other Scottish Highlights
The men’s wheelchair side were unable to make it a hat-trick of medals as they lost 19-12 against Australia in their earlier semi-final. Over at the boxing, Sonny Kerr guaranteed himself a medal with a dominant triumph in his 70kg quarter-final. The Aberdeen ace, 21, breezed past Samoan Marion Ah Tong to set up a semi-final showdown with Northern Ireland’s Jon McConnell on Friday. “It feels great getting a medal,” he said. “I thought I boxed well enough – I did well and used my skill. It’s absolutely brilliant – I just want to move onto the next now.” Meanwhile, Cambuslang lightweight Nicholas Devlin vowed to come back stronger after falling just short of a medal. The 25-year-old lost in the 60kg quarter-final to Wales’ Owain Harris-Allan via a unanimous decision. “I just couldn't get going in there,” he said. “I've been here before and I'll come again.”
