POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
FINAL
Argentina U16-United States of America U16 87:101
The United States of America U16 clinched Gold of the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship by beating Argentina 101:87. The winners looked great throughout the whole tournament and rightfully deserved the top place. Both teams as well as Canada qualified directly for the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship that will be held in Hamburg, Germany.
That was a good start of the Final for the undefeated teams of the tournament. The first two quarters were the same both in scenario and the score. The United States broke the tie quickly with a three pointer and finished up 25:18. In the beginning of the second period USA made an 11-0 run to take a 36:21 lead. Led by James McAdoo and Brad Beal the team enjoyed 50:36 at the halftime.
In the third period the United States of America U16 dominated the court as well as increased the lead to 21 points. They could start celebrating at that time and actually slowed down a bit in the last frame. Argentina U16 meanwhile produced a 35-28 in the last period and managed to reduce the gap.
Brad Beal (6'3''-G-93) paced all the winners with 26 points to clinch Gold with his team. Quinn Cook (5'11''-G-92) ended up with 22 points, while Mc Adoo James posted 20. Luciano Massarelli (-G-93) finished the night with 18 points in the losing effort. Tomas Zanzotera (-G-92) netted 17 and Herrera Hernan scored 12.
Argentina U16: Luciano Massarelli 18, Tomas Zanzotera 17, Herrera Hernan 12
United States of America U16: Brad Beal 26, Quinn Cook 22, Mc Adoo James 20
Game for the 3rd place
Canada U16-Venezuela U16 106:81
Canada U16 won over Venezuela U16 to qualify for the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship. The North American team grabbed the Bronze medal game of the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
The game between Canada U16 and Venezuela U16 became not only the game for the third place, however for the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship ticket as well. Canada opened the game with 11-2 run to take 23;10 lead after the opening quarter. Venezuela U16 started to play better in the second period however could not catch up the opponents. Canada won 21-19 to finish the first half up 44:29. Led by Nicholas Lewis and Duane Notice the winners went to the lockers with 15-point advantage.
The teams struggled hard in the third period coming back from the lockers as Canada still held the lead. Moreover the team from North America never looked behind and increased the lead. A 29-23 gave them 21 points to enter the last stanza. Another offensive 33-29 in the last period gave Canada the important win to qualify for the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship.
Canada U16: Kevin Pangos (183-G-92) 28, Notice Alexander 18,
Jonathan Alexander-Guillaume (198-F-93) 17+10 rebs
Venezuela U16: Calatayud Jose 17, Blanco Key Israel de Jesus 17,
Michael Carrera (-92) 16+12 rebs
5th place
Puerto Rico U16-Brazil U16 79:82
Brazil U16 clinched the fifth place at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship held in Mendoza, Argentina. In the game for the fifth place Brazil outscored Puerto Rico 82:79. Both teams fought for the lead in the final quarter but in the final seconds a three pointer by Leonardo Simoes gave Brazil the necessary win.
Brazil took a 24:21 lead at the end of the opening quarter. The team looked much better than the opponents and started to extend the lead later in the first half. Brazil made an 11-2 run to close the first half up 48:33.
Puerto Rico however bounced back in the second half and produced 27-17 in the third period. it gave them 60:65 at the end of the thirty minutes of the game. Puerto Rico even played better in the last period and managed to come closer to the opponents. The intrigue remained in the court until the last minutes however Leonardo Simoes nailed a three-pointer to seal the win with his team.
Simoes Leonardo paced all the winners with 26 points as Brazil finished 5th in the tournament.
Igor Avelino (190-F-94) poured in 18, while Martini Giovanni chipped in 8.
Carmelo Betancourt (-92) ended up with 24 points in the losing effort and
Gary Browne (-92) scored 21. Puerto Rico U16 finishes the campaign on the 6th position.
Puerto Rico U16:
Carmelo Betancourt 24,
Gary Browne 21
Brazil U16: Simoes Leonardo 26,
Igor Avelino 18, Martini Giovanni 8
7th place
Bahamas U16 -Mexico U16 87:83 OT
Bahamas U16 handed Mexico U16 another overtime loss and escaped the last place of FIBA Americas U16 Championship. Bahamas U16 celebraed the initial victory to finish on the 7th spot after 87:83 over Mexico U16.
Both teams started even and desired to finish the tournament with a win. Bahamas enjoyed a 21-15 lead with one minute left but the Mexicans came back with a 6-0 run to close tied at 21:21. Again it was Bahamas that made an 8-0 run to take a 35:27 lead and finish the first half up 42:33.
The third period became the most productive for both teams as they managed to pour in 49 points. Mexico reduced the gap after 25-24 and hoped for the last period. Mexico returned once again and a quick 4-0 run after two free throws and a basket forced the overtime period tied at 74:74. Bahamas made a 7-0 run in the final two minutes for the initial win in FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
Wannah Bail (203-C-92) was unstoppable with 30 points and 18 rebounds.
Garth Brown (-G/F-92) finished the night with 23, while Rokeem netted 14.
Ernesto Quintero (-92) top-scored for Mexico with 19 points and
Raul Borquez (-93) nailed 16.
Bahamas U16:
Wannah Bail 30+18 rebs,
Garth Brown 23, Lewis Rokeem 14
Mexico U16: Ernesto Quintero 19,
Raul Borquez 16
