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Aidan Love

Canada squeaks through 鈥榯ough' pool, readies for quarters

Despite a 2-3 record in the preliminary round, Team Canada can breathe a sigh of relief at the 2013 Junior World Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Adana, Turkey.

By Marcel Vander Wier on September 11, 2013

Despite a 2-3 record in the preliminary round, Team Canada can breathe a sigh of relief at the 2013 Junior World Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Adana, Turkey.

The team will play in the quarter-finals tomorrow against Sweden. Sweden beat host Turkey 67-61 today.

Following today's 83-48 loss to Iran, Canada concluded the round-robin portion of the tournament in fourth place.

Whitehorse native Aidan Love says late-game letdowns have cost Canada some games in the tournament, held every four years.

"Our pool has been tough,鈥 the 21-year-old told the Star today. "We all know that we can compete with every team here if we limit our turnovers and fouls. We have had some tough games with late fourth-quarter mental lapses.

"Going into the quarter-finals, we need to put forth a full 40 minutes of hard play,鈥 Love added. "If we do that, then we will succeed.鈥

Love has played a limited but effective role in Canada's tournament.

In today's loss to Iran, the rookie played 13 minutes, grabbing one rebound and contributing two assists. Love said he doesn't mind cheering from the bench if necessary.

"We have a strong starting lineup and I want the team to succeed,鈥 he said. "Right now it is all about experience and our team's starting five can bring that to these next few important games.鈥

Coach Steve Bialowas said Canada is a young team that was taught some lessons by Iran today.

"Iran showed us that we need to elevate our game and be prepared to play differently in the playoffs,鈥 Bialowas said.

Iran quickly established the pace by scoring the first basket just 12 seconds into the game. Canada would close the gap to within two points late in the first quarter, before Iran went on a 10-point run.

Vincent Dallaire of Quebec City was Canada's top scorer with 12 points. Seven other players also found their way onto the scoresheet.

Canada opened the tournament on Saturday with a convincing 62-31 win over South Africa.

Love played 13 minutes in the game, securing one rebound.

The team would fall to 1-1 on Sunday with a 57-50 loss to Great Britain. The Brits capitalized on a late rally and clean play to capture the win.

Love did not play in the game, which saw the lead change eight times.

Canada fell to 1-2 Monday with a 68-45 loss to Germany.

Germany outscored Canada 22-7 in the fourth quarter and cruised to victory.

Love was held scoreless in nine minutes of action.

"It's a disappointing loss, but we played a tough game against a very competitive German team,鈥 said coach Bialowas.

Canada qualified for the quarter-finals yesterday with a gritty 61-58 win over Mexico.

"We defeated Mexico twice at the qualification tournament in March and that gave us confidence in the game,鈥 Bialowas explained.

Nik Goncin of Regina, Sask. was the offensive leader, draining a game-high 35 points alongside 15 rebounds and six assists.

Canada is one of 12 countries competing for the world title in Turkey.

The Canadian Junior Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team consists of the top male athletes under 23 years of age from across the country.

Canada is attempting to bounce-back from an eighth place finish in Paris from 2009.

Canada earned a berth in the world championship in March after winning the American Zone qualifier.

The tournament is expected to wrap up on Saturday.

Love, who became a paraplegic after a ski accident last February, said the experience in Turkey has been great.

"It has been beautiful in Adana every day since we arrived,鈥 he said. "The venues have been great, lots of volunteers excited to help out the teams in any way that they can.

"Everyone in the tournament is staying at the Adana five-麻豆社区Hilton, which makes our nights quite enjoyable,鈥 he added.

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