POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Paulina Rodriguez
FINAL
El Salvador - Mexico 47-65
Mexico clinch the title in El Salvador at the U17 Centrobasket. They overcame the hosts 65:47 in the Final game and remained undefeated. El Salvador finished second at their brilliant campaign. This was the second appearance for both teams at the tournament. Mexico beat El Salvador in Day 3 when both teams reached Semifinals of the U17 Centrobasket. Mexico needed a 77:62 win to win Group B with 3-0 record. Tonight Mexico won the first period 17-15 and did not allow the hosts to score in the second frame. Mexico erupted with a 19-0 run and was sure with their victory. Both teams managed to score 17 points in the third period and then El Salvador posted a 15-12 run in the last stanza for the final result. Nayeli Ortiz (174-SF-98) paced all the winners with 25 points and Lopez Narda collected 18 points and 10 rebounds. Paulina Rodriguez (174-SG-98) netted 8, while Monica Diaz (SG-96) and Meza Paulina had 4 each. Iglesias Ana produced 19 points in a loss, whilst Hillary Martinez (172-SF-97) nailed 9. Larin Sandra delivered 8, whilst Hernandez Claudia had 7.
3rd place
Puerto Rico - Dominican Republic 64-44
Puerto Rico edge Dominican Republic for the third place at the U17 Centrobasket. They posted a 64:44 win to take the Bronze medals at the tournament. Puerto Rico started the game with 24-5 surge and never looked behind. They added 17-14 rally and led 22 points at the halftime. Puerto Rico managed also to win the third period and increased to 27 points after 30 minutes of the game. Dominican Republic bounced back with 14-7 rally to reduce to final 64:44 result. Aleana Leon (G-96) stepped up with 15 points and Nieves Patricia netted 11. Guevarez Yamaris followed them with 7 points in a win. Anyi Hodge (C-97) top-scored for Dominican Republic with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Guerrero Nicole added 7. Rodriguez Lismier and Jones Flor delivered 6 points as the latter also grabbed 16 rebounds.
5th place
Honduras - Costa Rica 39-55
Costa Rica finished fifth at the U17 Centrobasket. They edged Honduras 55:39 in the game for the 5-6 places. The first half belonged to Honduras that managed to win both quarters. They started with 11-10 run and then added 17-12 rally in the second period. The third quarter however was decisive in the game as Costa Rica erupted with a 21-3 surge and posted a final 12-8 run in the last stanza. Honduras finished on the sixth place. Yamilah Solano (96) top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Jennifer Sanchez (F/C-97) as well as Mora Emily added 10 each. Maria Gutierrez (97) followed them with 6 points in a win. Rapalo Nelly produced 14 points in defeat and Vigil Laura scored 8. Abdalah Jinan notched 6, whilst Grenald Danna collected 4 points and 22 rebounds.
7th place
Bahamas - U.S. Virgin Islands 62-79
U.S. Virgin Islands escape the last place in El Salvador at the U17 Centrobasket. They outscored Bahamas 79:62 and finished 7th at the tournament. Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands exchanged the narrow wins in the first two quarters. At first Bahamas took 16-14 run in the first period and then U.S. Virgin Islands responded with a 22-15 rally. Moreover the latter dominated the second half and posted two more victories. They won the third period 26-20 and finished the game with a 17-11 run. Frettt Akia top-scored for the winners with 23 points and 11 assists and Sherelle George (98) netted 19. Evans Ranai finished the game with 18 points and Martinez J'Lene had 13. Sha-Londa Neely (C) answered with massive 22 points and 20 rebounds in defeat and Serena Brown had 19 points and 15 rebounds in a loss. Nesbitt Valerie poured in 11 and Higgs Kyle notched 8.
