Duo to use Asia Cup success to boost Snakes in NBL season
When it comes to bling, nothing seems to attract as much attention as a gold medal.
Just ask Cam Gliddon and Mitch McCarron who returned to Snakes training this morning with their championship medals from the Boomers' recent successful Asia Cup campaign.
The TNQ duo were part of a Boomers team filled with NBL talent that won the tournament for Australia in our first appearance in the cup and they were keen to show off their medals to their local teammates.
Australia beat Iran 79-56 in the final, with Taipans captain Cam saying it was good to be back in TNQ after a long but successful international campaign.
"We are very happy to be back home and our Taipans teammates are happy too," Cam said.
"They are pretty happy we got to do what we got to do and it is good to be back home.
"The gold medal is a nice little piece of jewellery and we are proud of what we accomplished."
The Boomers went into their first Asia Cup campaign not knowing what to expect with Cam saying a strong team culture and depth of playing talent, as well as a focus on improving throughout the event proved the difference in the end.
"We started off shakily but got better throughout the tournament," he said.
"It was good to come away with the tournament win, we won every game by double digits."
While it was good to share the team's success, a "weird" injury on a team day off nearly ended Cam's campaign.
"I was in the pool and I stood on a shard of glass," he said.
"My foot was glued back together and I had to sit out a game and it was hard coming back. I am still trying not to walk on it too much."
FOCUS TURNS TO NBL SEASON
Both Cam and Mitch hope the experience of a successful international campaign will help spur the Taipans on in the upcoming NBL season, which is due to start in October.
"International basketball helps, the experience makes your game better and Mitch was outstanding on his first time with the Boomers," he said.
With more international games coming up in November, the duo also hopes they can get more time on the court, although nothing is guaranteed in the Boomers set-up with coach Andrej Lemanis casting his eye over form before making a decision about who will be in the team.
"It comes down to who is in form at the time," he said.
"We will prepare like we are in and keep up with the program."
For Mitch, his aim is to ensure that his second season in the NBL, which is due to tip-off in October, continues on from the good work he produced last season.
"As a returning player the pressure is on to step up my game," Mitch said.
"The Taipans are expecting big things as a team this NBL season."
