Double gold delight for Gangurrus

It was a double dose of gold for Australia in the 3x3 Asia Cup, with both men and women winning nail biters to claim victory in Singapore. 

The men’s team led by Alex Higgins-Titsha, Dillon Stith, Jonah Antonio and Lachlan Barker, beat China by two points to claim back-to-back gold medals for Australia.

Former Taipans coach Adam Forde was the coach for the young squad, who were fresh off their bronze medal at the Champions Cup two weeks prior.

It was a highlight-filled tournament overall for Australia, with Higgins-Titsha and Stith being at their athletic, dominant best throughout. After an early loss to a sharp shooting Japan, the Australian team bounced back with a convincing win over Mongolia.

The men secured their place in the gold medal game with a clutch two-point win over New Zealand in the semi-finals, thanks to some heroics from Stith for the game-winning basket. Stith again stepped up in the big moment, hitting the deciding free-throw to win the tournament 21-19.

Stith was named Most Valuable Player in the men's draw.

Coached by Damon Lowery, the women also secured gold with a four-point win over Japan, claiming their third straight Asia Cup. Alex Wilson was also named Most Valuable Player for her outstanding tournament.