POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Simone Edwards
Semifinals
Jamaica - Trinidad and Tobago 62-59
Jamaica outsmarted Trinidad and Tobago in very exciting game and advanced to the Big Final in Mayaguez. Jamaica celebrated 62-59 in the Semis and will fight for the Gold against Puerto Rico. On the other hand, Trinidad and Tobago will play against Mexico for third place. Simone Edwards (193-C-73, college: Iowa) stepped up for the winners with 17 points and 13 rebounds. She was the MVP of this meeting with valuation 24. Tajay Ashmeade (191-C/F-89) was the second scorer in Jamaica with 12 pts (6 rebs). Nicole Louden (172-G-83, college: Auburn) (10 rebs, 6 as) and Vanessa Gidden (191-C-85, college: Hofstra) (5 rebs) added 11 points each. In defeat, Rhea Codio (165-G-88) was good with 16 points and 8 assists. Sharmion Selman (183-F-83) scored 12 points. Jamaica was better team in the first, while Trinidad and Tobago shined in the second half. Jamaica made 15-11 lead in the first ten minutes and looked good. The same score was registered in the second period as well, thus Jamaica was 30-22 up at the half time. Trinidad and Tobago entered to the second half with totally different attitude. They managed to close the gap to 5 points before the last ten minutes. Trinidad and Tobago seriously threatened in the finish, but Jamaica players were focused and managed to keep their lead. The Big Final, as well as the game for third place, are scheduled for Wednesday.
Puerto Rico - Mexico 78-63
Puerto Rico continued its winning streak in Santo Domingo. It was their fourth straight win, but this one came in Semifinals so Puerto Rico will fight for the Gold against Jamaica. On the other side, Mexico will meet Trinidad and Tobago in the battle for third place. Carla Escalera (175-F-84) shined for the winners with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Jazmine Sepulveda (175-G-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: S.Florida) had double-double of 11 points and 12 boards, while Michelle Pacheco (173-G-88) also scored 11 pts. In the loosing squad, Alexis Castro (183-G/F-86, agency: 22ft, college: Vermont) replied with 19 points and 12 boards. Erika Gomez (187-F/C-76) had 16 pts in this defeat. Mexico had a better start. Alexis Castro and her teammates opened the game with nice 17-23 in the first ten minutes. However, Puerto Rico players woke up after that and drastically improved their game. They finished the second period with 25-12 for 42-35 turn at the half time. Puerto Rico smashed Mexico in Q3 as well (20-9) and the game winner was already decided. Last quarter belonged to Mexico (16-19), but that did not change anything. The Big Final, as well as the game for third place, is scheduled for Wednesday. Both teams already qualified for the 2011 FIBA-Americas Championship for Women (Pre-Olympic). Puerto Rico also booked a spot for the 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara.
Places 5-8
Dominican Republic - Saint Vincent 138-31
Expected win for Dominican Republic, who made the first step forward to fifth place in Mayaguez. They had an easy job against Saint Vincent, who stays winless at this event. Saint Vincent will meet Guatemala in the game for seventh place. Charlenny Frias (84) top-scored for Dominican Republic with 25 points. Marbely Montas (173-G-87, college: Monmouth) also was great as she added 22 points and 10 boards. Still, the MVP of this game was Carmen Guzman (175-G-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: UAB) with valuation 36. She spent 18 minutes on the court collecting 18 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists. Saint Vincent did not have any player with double-digits in scoring. Sheldeen Joseph (92) had 9 pts in this loss. There is no too much to be said for this game. Dominican Republic simply was a way better team. They finished Q1 with huge 36-12 and continued in the same rhythm. Dominican Republic stopped their rivals to just 2 points for the entire Q2. On the other side, they drained 35 for 71-14 lead. Second half was just the formality. Dominican Republic ended Q3 with 34-12 and the last one with 33-5 for the final 138-31 blowout. In the battle for fifth place Dominican Republic will meet the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Guatemala - U.S. Virgin Islands 63-79
The U.S. Virgin Islands cruised past Guatemala 63-79 in the first game of the Classification Round for 5th to 8th place in Mayaguez. It means that the ISV will meet Dominican Republic for position No.5. Guatemala will play against Saint Vincent to avoid the last place at Centrobasket. Yanique Javois (176-G-86, college: Saint Louis) exploded in victory with 28 points. She made 9 of 14 attempts for FG2. Natalie Day (183-G/F-90) also was great in this game adding 21 points and 8 rebounds. The ISV did not have any other player with double-digits in scoring. In Guatemala, Blanca Amado (180-G/F-79) replied with 26 points and 5 boards. Maria Fleischmann (181-F/C-79) added 20 points and 8 rebs. The ISV did a great job in the first half. Yanique Javois and her teammates entered to this game strongly making 10-21 lead in the first ten minutes. Second period ended 11-13 meaning that the ISV was 13 points up at the half time. Guatemala slightly improved after the breather, but they needed a way more. The ISV won Q3 with 18-21 and last one was totally leveled 24-24 for the final score of 63-79.
Centrobasket Women's Championship Awards 2024
