POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Carmen Guzman
GROUP A
PUERTO RICO - JAMAICA 82-53
Puerto Rico cruised past Jamaica 82-53 in Day One of the 2012 Centrobasket Championship for women in Morovis (Group A). Puerto Rico is the host of this event and it is also the defending champion from 2010. Jamaica managed to resist only in the first ten minutes, but all after that belonged to Puerto Rico. The hosts jumped to 11-point lead at the halftime and increased it to plus 13 at the end of Q3. Puerto Rico smashed its rival in the last ten minutes of the game (28-12) celebrating comfortable 29-point win at the end. Jazmine Sepulveda (186-G-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: S.Florida) led the hosts with 28 points (valuation 30). Sandra Garcia (190-C-90) had 11 points, while Carla Cortijo (173-G-87, college: Texas) (6 as) and Esmary Vargas-Sanchez (192-C-81, college: Emporia St.) (6 rebs) added 10 points each. In defeat, Shenneika Smith (185-G) was better than the others with 17 points and 7 rebs, while Rhona McKenzie (183-F-76, agency: LBM Management) had 14 points and 9 boards. Today, Puerto Rico will play against El Salvador and another easy win is expected. Jamaica will take on Mexico.
Puerto Rico: Jazmine Sepulveda 28, Sandra Garcia 11, Carla Cortijo 10+6 as, Esmary Vargas-Sanchez 10+6 boards
Jamaica: Shenneika Smith 17+7 boards, Rhona McKenzie 14+9 boards
MEXICO - EL SALVADOR 77-44
Mexico opened 2012 Centrobasket Championship in style. They blasted El Salvador 77-44 on Tuesday for 1-0 record in Group A of the Preliminary Round. Mexico took control on its rival from the beginning and never looked back. Maria Orozco (176-PF) shined for the winners with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Alexis Castro (180-G/F-86, agency: 22ft, college: Vermont) secured a great help with 13 points and 8 boards, while Abril Garcia (188-F/C-80, college: ORU) added 12 pts and also 8 rebs. In the loosing squad, Monica Calderon (175-SF-91) collected 11 points and 5 rebs, with poor shoot percentage. Gladis Maravilla (184-C-85) stopped to 10 pts and 9 boards. Quarters: 24-10, 8-9, 23-8, 22-17. In Day Two, Mexico will meet Jamaica. El Salvador will take on the home squad - Puerto Rico.
Mexico: Maria Orozco 15+10 boards+5 as, Alexis Castro 13+8 boards, Abril Garcia 12+8 boards
El Salvador: Monica Calderon 11+5 boards, Gladis Maravilla 10+9 boards
GROUP B
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 72-69
Dominican Republic had to work very hard to take the victory in Game One of the 2012 Centrobasket Championship in Morovis. They outsmarted US Virgin Islands 72-69 for 1-0 record in Group B of the Preliminary Round. Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago are also participants of this pool and all of them fight for one of the first two spots. First two teams from Group A and B will advance to Semifinals. Carmen Guzman (172-SG-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: UAB) was a key player for Dominican Republic. She scored 28 points, including 6 of 13 from behind the arc. Jennifer Estrella (183-G-88) had a great game collecting 11 points and 6 rebounds for 17 minutes on the court, while Charlenny Frias (170-G-84) helped her team with 8 pts. In US Virgin Islands, Victoria Hamilton (177-G-91) was better than the others with 17 points and 9 boards. Akkema Richards (172-SG) (8 as) and Yanique Javois (176-G-85) delivered 12 points apiece. Dominican trailed by four, 57-53, with 5:38 left to play in the final quarter before tying the score at 65 with 1:25. US Virgin Island still held 67-65 lead before things began to unravel. The Dominican Republic took control with a three point shot from Carmen Guzman with 41 seconds remaining in the game. Quarters: 13-16, 28-19, 8-13, 23-21. Today, Dominican Republic will play against Cuba, who also has 1-0 record. US Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago will fight for the first win.
Dominican Republic: Carmen Guzman 28, Jennifer Estrella 11+6 boards, Charlenny Frias 8
US Virgin Islands: Victoria Hamilton 17+9 boards, Akkema Richards 12+8 as, Yanique Javois 12
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - CUBA 36-88
Cuba demonstrated wonderful performance in Day One of the 2012 Centrobasket Championship in Morovis. They smashed Trinidad and Tobago 88-36 for 1-0 record in Preliminary Group B. Participants of this pool are also Dominican Republic and US Virgin Islands. Cuba started the game with impressive 25-4 run and at that time it was already clear that T&T will not have a chance for rest of the way. Cuba made 18-12 in Q2 and jumped to plus 39 with ten minutes remaining in the game. Last quarter was just the formality and Cuba celebrate huge win at the end. Marlen Cepeda (193-C-85) was the MVP of this game with valuation 22 (12 points, 12 rebounds). Leidys Oquendo (180-F-82), Yamara Amargo (180-F-85) and Islen Carbonell (182-G/F-87) also scored 12 points each for the winners. At the other side, Rhea Codio (165-G-88) delivered 13 points. Shakira Clarke (182-C) (6 rebs) and Adanna David (177-F) stopped to 9 and 8 points respectively. Cuba will play against Dominican Republic today. T&T will meet US Virgin Island.
Trinidad and Tobago: Rhea Codio 13, Shakira Clarke 9+6 boards Adanna David 8
Cuba: Marlen Cepeda 12+12 boards, Leidys Oquendo 12, Yamara Amargo 12, Islen Carbonell 12
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