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Despite high expectations, Team Canada settled for sixth place after losing 67-38 to Iran at the World Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championship Saturday.

Canada, which featured Whitehorse native Aidan Love on the 12-man roster, finished the tournament in Adana, Turkey with a 3-5 record.

The under-23 team did not match up well with Iran, losing their final preliminary round game to their rivals 83-48.

"We kind of went into that game with an attitude that we just wanted to have fun,鈥� Love told the Star this morning. The 21-year-old landed in Whitehorse late last night.

"We weren't expecting anything really. We were just going to play the game for what it was. Everyone was going to see the court and I think by the end of it, when we went back to our locker room, it didn't feel like we lost. We were still excited, so that was really good.鈥�

Each Canuck saw at least five minutes of court time in the final contest.

The Iranians finished the fifth-place game with four players in double-digit scoring. They also used their height advantage to out-rebound Canada 52-34.

"Canada gave a tremendous team effort and can be proud of the way they battled hard all tournament,鈥� Canada's head coach Steve Bialowas said post-game. "Nik (Goncin) led the team for seven games and carried the rest of the guys. Today, the other guys carried him with everyone playing and nine of the guys hitting the scoresheet.鈥�

The tournament wrapped up Saturday with Germany beating Sweden 69-65 to claim gold.

Australia edged Great Britain 54-52 for bronze.

Canada entered the playoffs with a 2-3 record, but dropped their quarter-final matchup to Sweden on Thursday by a score of 71-66.

Love did not play in that game.

Regina's Goncin posted a monstrous 40 points and 12 rebounds to lead the way.

Love said if a few calls or shots had gone differently, Canada would have been playing for a medal.

"We felt like we competed well,鈥� he said. "Overall, the tournament was an incredible experience.鈥�

Canada went on to beat host Turkey 62-54 on Friday to set up the fifth-place matchup with Iran.

In that game, Goncin scored 31 points, while adding 15 rebounds and six assists. Love played just less than seven minutes in the contest.

With the Canadian victory, the Americas Zone has earned a second qualification spot for the next world championship in 2017.

As a rookie, Love's role was limited at the world championship, but his coach had nothing but high praise for the Yukoner.

"Aidan Love is an outstanding young man,鈥� Bialowas said in an email to the Star. "He has only been playing wheelchair basketball for a year, and shows tremendous promise. He may be a rookie with limited experience, but I'm so proud of the way he has become a leader on our team.鈥�

Bialowas said as an older player, Love worked hard to keep his teammates grounded in Turkey, making sure the team overcame the distractions and challenges of playing in Turkey.

"Aidan's future in the sport of wheelchair basketball is really up to him,鈥� the coach said. "He is a talented athlete. He is very bright and a pleasure to coach.

"It comes down to commitment and hard work,鈥� he added. "I hope he has enjoyed his experience here in Turkey and this motivates him to pursue a future in the sport.鈥�

On Friday, Love will return to Toronto, where he will begin training at the newly-unveiled Wheelchair Basketball Canada Academy.