Schuring's USA Basketball Team Wins Gold in Australia

The Men’s Basketball Team representing USA Athletes International in the 2003 Southern Cross Games last week in Darwin, Australia took home the gold medal.   The American team, Coached by Dakota State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tim Schuring defeated Northern Territory of Australia 103-72 in Friday’s Championship game to complete the tournament with an unblemished 6-0 record. 

Schuring, chosen by USA Athletes International to be the team’s head coach say’s his team showed it’s prowess right from day one of the tournament.  “Our players were determined to set the tone for the week by playing with emotion right out of the blocks,” That win boosted our confidence enough to help us improve with each game.”

Ryan Murphy and Dennis Stanton were selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Players.  Murphy, a 6’5” forward from Washburn University (KS) and Stanton, a 6’2” guard from Ursinus College (PA) were the American team’s scoring leaders for the tournament.

Others members of the squad included Bryan Uselding, Benedictine University (IL); Brandon Snowden, Berea College (KY); Robert Smith, North Carolina Wesleyan University; Adam Lewis, Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI); and Scott Landisch, Ripon College (WI).  Joining Schuring on the Coaching staff was Dave Martin, the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Upper Iowa University.

“The trip was more rewarding than I could ever have imagined,” said Schuring. “ The coaches, parent, and friends of each individual on the squad can be extremely proud of how these young men represented themselves, their institutions and country.  They are class individuals.”

The team, made up of college players from around the country defeated their opponent’s 582- 432 during the tournament.