Hesson’s last-gasp shot edges England past Australia in the 3×3 basketball final at CWG 2022
Hesson’s last-gasp shot edges England: Birmingham-born Myles Hesson delivered a Hollywood-style ending. The two-point shot in overtime helped England Commonwealth to gold in the men’s 3×3 Basketball.
Hesson came through in the clutch to help England to a 17-16 victory over their illustrious opponents.
“It is incredible,” Hesson said. “I am trying to figure out the words. In my wildest dreams, making the winning shot in Birmingham for Commonwealth gold. It is a joke.”
“I have played basketball in every corner of Birmingham. This (Smithfield) is where I catch the bus to get into town, to get out of town. I would go to the markets with my grandparents. I am from Birmingham. I am Birmingham.”
The final was a physical battle on a huge basis. The two teams traded both fouls and baskets. Australia holds a narrow edge in both columns almost throughout.
The wind ripped through Smithfield and contributed to some wayward shooting from the free-throw line. Hesson missed plenty of shots. But he did not miss the last win. His final shot enabled England to win with five seconds left.
“I did not want to script it like that,” Hesson added. “It was a bit nervy. But we came through. I hit the big shot that won the game. But we all chipped in to make that possible. It was a big team effort.”
Hesson scored for England six points. Jaydon Henry-McCalla and Orlan Jackman scored four each. Jamell Anderson scored three.
In other matches, Canada beat Scotland to win the bronze medal.
The England women’s team had to settle for silver. Sarah Te-Biasu made a buzzer-beating lay-up that gave Canada a 14-13 win.
“I’m proud of us. We have come here and got a silver medal. But when you are that close to a gold medal it is going to hurt and be disappointing,” Cheridene Green said.
“There are no regrets, we have put everything out there against a really good team but we’ve come up just a little bit short. At the end of the day, we are still Commonwealth medallists. The fans are still cheering our name and that is something to be proud about.”
The bronze medal was won by Australia after its victory over New Zealand.
Canada came out victorious in the women’s wheelchair basketball final after a 14-5 win. Fortunes played reversely in the men’s wheelchair final. Australia won with a score of 11-9.
England received bronze medals in both men’s and women’s competitions.