POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Group A
Mexico U17 - Trinidad and Tobago U17 96:52
Mexican U17 national team continued their perfect campaign in Puerto Rico. They handled Trinidad in the second round of Centrobasket tournament in Humacao. The win saw them improve to 2-0 record and stay on top of the ladder together with hosts.
The teams started the game in somehow cautiously. They kept it close in the opening frame and Mexico led 16:15 at the end of it. Trinidad did not allow Mexican players to clear off in the second quarter and trailed by just 5 points at halftime 32:37. However breakaway came in the third frame as Mexican team put on impressive basketball performance and spurred ahead to an unassailable 75:46 advantage entering the fourth frame. Trinidad never recovered from the blow and managed just 6 points in the final 10 minutes to suffer their second defeat at the tournament.
Juan Pablo Casillas led all scorers with 23 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 5 steals for Mexico. Carlos Lypez secured another 19 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Kyle Rowley (-91) answered with 13 points and 15 rebounds for Trinidad. Sheldon Esdelle-Blackburn (-92) had 12 points in a losing effort.
Mexico dominated the boards and shot more accurately from the field. They also forced Trinidad players to 29 turnovers.
Mexico will next take on Dominican Republic. Trinidad will try to improve against Virgin Islands.
Mexico U17: Juan Pablo Casillas 23+8 assists, Carlos Lypez 19
Trinidad and Tobago U17: Kyle Rowley 13+15 boards, Sheldon Esdelle-Blackburn 12
Bahamas U17 - Dominican Republic U17 72:68
Bahamas U17 National team celebrated their first victory at the Centrobasket tournament in Humacao. They defeated Domincan Republic team in a closely fought contest and tied them in the ladder at 1-1 record.
Bahamas emerged strong in the first half. They played aggressive defensive basketball and held their opponents to 21 points in the half, while Bahamain players scored 33. Domincan Republic found the touch in the third stanza as Andres Terrero and Yohansi Jimenez knocked down consecutive long jumpers and led their team to a local 25:18 success. Dominican Republic tried hard to save the encounter at the end but a strong performance from Donathen Moss (-91) and Jermine Storr (-90) ensured a winning outcome for the Islanders.
Donathen Moss provided 21 points and 12 rebounds for Bahamas. Jermine Storr added 20 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Kelvin Valdez (-91) responded with 15 points and 4 blocks for Dominican Republic. Yohansi Jimenez and Jhony De La Cruz produced 14 points apiece in defeat.
Bahamas had a huge dominance under the rims as they pulled down 54 rebounds, including 20 offensive ones. They also converted 44% of two-pointers and 68% of free throws. Dominican Republic players lacked accuracy from the charity stripe hitting just 50%.
Bahamas will next take on hosting Puerto Rico. Dominican Republic is scheduled to play against Mexico in the third round.
