FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Day 5 - Jul.
29, 2008 USA U18 - Argentina U18 81:37
Nneka Ogwumike secured 20 points and 15 rebounds for the United
States Junior Team as they claimed wrapped up their FIBA Americas
Championship campaign with a comprehensive win over hosting Argentina.
So the USA finished the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record and
celebrated a well-deserved title at the end. Argentina lost 3 of their
five games but still clinched the 4th spot that gave them the
opportunity to qualify for the U19 World Championship in Thailand. The
USA could not clear off substantially in the opening frame as Argentina
maintained the pressure on the visitors. The USA team led 19:16 after
ten minutes of action and Argentina tied it all at 19 with a
three-pointer early in the second stanza. But the North American side
replied with 21:7 run to close the first half leading by 14 points. The
USA stunned their opponents in the third frame as they outscored them
20:2 en route to a 60:28 advantage with one quarter to go. The United
States players cruised to an easy win at the end.
Kelsey Bone (196-C-91) came up with 12 points and 9 boards for the
USA.
Skylar Diggins (175-G-90) had 11 points for the winners.
Nayla Kraft (166-G-90) answered with 13 points for Argentina.
Agostina Burrani (188-C-90) added 10 points in defeat. The USA
enjoyed an overwhelming advantage on the glass 68:26. They limited
Argentinean players to just 21% accuracy from the field. Argentina also
committed 21 turnovers down the stretch.
Canada U18 - Venezuela U18 88:68 Canadian Junior National Team overcame Venezuela to complete
their FIBA Americas Championship campaign. Canada scored 4 wins in 5
games at the tournament and occupied the second overall spot. This
automatically qualified them for the U19 World Championship in Thailand
to be held next year. Venezuela finished at 1-4 record and clinched the
5th spot. Venezuelan team got to a better start of the game as they
outgunned Canada 20:18 in the opening stanza. Canada shook off some
sloppiness in the second frame and managed to pull ahead 39:37 at
halftime. The third term brought things to more expected looks as Canada
thrashed Venezuela. The North American team accounted for 28 points in
the period and piled up a 20-point advantage with one quarter to go.
Venezuela leveled the tempo in the fourth stanza but failed to come any
closer at the end.
Jennifer Vaughan (175-G-90) topscored with 17 points for Canada.
Elyse Jobin (180-G-90) had 15 points, while
Justine Colley (175-G) and
Taryn Wicijowski (188-F/C) contributed 10 points apiece in a win.
FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Day 4 - Jul.
27, 2008 USA U18 - Brazil U18 96:51
The United States Junior National Team ensured a cruising win over
Brazil in the fourth round of action at the FIBA Americas Championship.
Thus the USA improved to 4-0 record and secured the top-spot finish at
the tournament. Brazil fell to 3-2 record in the middle of the ladder.
The USA jumped to an early 21:4 lead and never looked back en route to
yet another comprehensive victory in Buenos Aires. The North American
team overwhelmed their opponents 35:10 in the opening stanza.
Nneka Ogwumike scored 10 points in the second period and the USA
stretched their lead to as many as 34 points at the interval. The United
States Juniors never slowed down in the second half and outgunned the
Latin American side 19:14 in the third stanza. Brazil failed to win at
least one quarter coming up short 15:21 in the fourth and losing the
game. The USA outrebounded their opponents 58:23. Brazil converted none
of their 21 three-point attempts and suffered 17 turnovers down the
stretch.
Skylar Diggins (175-G-90) and
Nneka Ogwumike posted 13 points apiece to lead the USA.
Sarah Boothe (196-C-90) accounted for 12 points in a winning case.
Cristiane Simoes (192-F/C-91) replied with 10 points for Brazil.
Leila Zabani (180-G/F-91) dropped 8 points in defeat. The USA will
wrap up their campaign against Argentina tomorrow. Brazil faces Puerto
Rico in the final round of action.
Canada U18 - Puerto Rico U18 78:65
Canadian Junior National Team ensured their second-place result at the
FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina. They beat Puerto Rican team
yesterday to improve to 3-1 record in the ladder just behind undefeated
USA. Canada also booked the ticket to Thailand for the U19 World
Championship next year. Canada got to a brave start against winless
Puerto Rico claiming a 22:16 advantage at the first intermission.
However the Caribbean side burst out with an 11:0 run late in the second
stanza to build a 38:33 advantage at halftime. The gap was stretched to
7 points at the start of the third frame. However Canada came back to
life after a timeout and answered with a 9:0 rally to pull ahead. They
enjoyed a 53:49 advantage at three-quarter time. Puerto Rico failed to
spark the intrigue in the fourth period and Canada eased to their third
victory at the tournament.
Taryn Wicijowski (188-F/C) produced 18 points and 9 rebounds for
Canada.
Kayla Alexander (195-F/C-91) added 16 points and 14 boards, while
Elyse Jobin (180-G-90) added 14 points in a win.
FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Day 3 - Jul.
26, 2008 Brazil U18 - Venezuela U18 89:76 Brazilian Junior National Team earned their second straight
loss in Argentina. Yesterday they handled Venezuela to improve to 2-1
record and stepped closer to achieving the main goal getting into top 4
teams that would qualify for U19 World Championship to be held next
year.
Patricia Teixeira (177-G/F-90) came up with arguably the best
performance at the competition so far to pace Brazil. She tallied 37
points, 6 assists and 3 boards and Brazil dominated the game. They
opened the game confidently and marked their lead early on. The gap grew
to 9 points at the first intermission but Brazil never stopped. They
continued to raise the tempo and ensured a 16-point advantage at the
interval. Venezuela struggled defensively and found themselves trailing
by 19 points before the fourth stanza. Finally Brazil switched to a
lower gear in the fourth period and allowed Venezuela to cut the
distance at the end.
Tassia Pereira (175-G-92) produced 19 points and 9 boards for
Brazil.
Cristiane Simoes (192-F/C-91) had 14 points and 12 boards for the
winners.
Roselis Silva (-G-90) answered with 20 points and 8 boards for
Venezuela.
Cleider Blanco (-C-90) netted 17 points in a losing case. Brazil
outrebounded their opponents 46:25 and shot solid 56% from the field.
Brazil will face the undefeated USA today. Venezuela will oppose hosting
Argentina in another todays game.
USA U18 - Puerto Rico U18 116:36
The United States Junior National Team victimized Puerto Rico in the
third round of action at the FIBA Americas Championship in Buenos Aires
yesterday. The USA led from the start till the finish and were never
seriously challenged by the Caribbean side. Six US players scored in
double digits en route to a stunning victory. The USA team remained
perfect on top of the ladder.
Ashley Corral (175-G-90) came up with 16 points to pace the winners.
Lynetta Kizer (191-C-90) secured 13 points for the USA that
dominated literally every facet of the game. Nneka Ogwumike nailed all
her 9 points in the first stanza and the Unites States jumped to a 25:6
lead ten minutes into the game. The margin grew quickly down the stretch
and read 36 points at halftime. The USA never looked back in the second
half and breezed to another comfortable victory at the end.
Skylar Diggins (175-G-90),
Samantha Prahalis (170-G-90) and
Sarah Boothe (196-C-90) netted 12 points apiece for the winners.
FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Day 2 - Jul.
25, 2008 USA U18 - Canada
U18 72:56
The United States Junior National Team extended their winning streak at
the FIBA Americas Championship. Yesterday they defeated Canada in Buenos
Aires to celebrate the second straight success. The defense proved a key
mechanism in holding off Canada. The USA limited their opponents to 5
points in the second period going on a 24:5 run and building a 21-point
lead at halftime. The USA opened the game with a 9:0 rally however
Canada quickly bounced back. They answered with a 14:2 outburst to take
a 14:11 lead late in the first frame.
Shekinna Stricklen (188-F-90) nailed a jumper to cap the first
period and the USA team led 19:17 ten minutes into the game.
Kelsey Bone (196-C-91) netted 6 points in the second period and the
United States side cleared off to a safe distance. The gap just grew
bigger in the third period and reached a 24-point mark with a quarter to
go. Canada finally outscored their opponents in the fourth term but it
was a minor satisfaction for them.
Shekinna Stricklen delivered 13 points for the USA.
Kelsey Bone added 12 points and 7 boards, while
Ashley Corral (175-G-90) had 9 points in a win.
Natalie Achonwa (188-F-92) answered with 14 points for Canada.
Stephanie Macdonald (177-F) secured 9 points in a loss. The USA now
secured the semifinal birth as well as the ticket to U19 FIBA World
Championship next year.
Venezuela U18 - Puerto Rico U18 89:52 Venezuelan Junior National Team celebrated their first win at
the FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina. Yesterday they pounded
Puerto Rico to improve to 1-1 record in the ladder. Puerto Rico suffered
their second loss in a row and remained at the bottom of the ladder. The
teams are fighting for four available spots at the U19 World
Championship next year. Venezuela dominated right from the start as they
crafted a 24:10 lead after the starting stanza. Puerto Rico looked
distressed and could not find their way back in the contest. Venezuela
stretched the margin to 27 points at halftime and felt comfortable at
the moment. The Boricuas managed to slow down their opponents in the
third frame but could not outscore Venezuela. The margin grew to 32
points before the fourth period and Venezuela never looked back again.
Cleider Blanco (-C-90) nailed 26 points to lead Venezuela.
Yosimar Corrales (-G-90) had 16 points for the winners.
Cristina Centeno (175-G-90) answered with 15 points.
FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Day 1 - Jul.
24, 2008 USA U18 - Venezuela U18 112:49 Buenos Aires welcomed the participants of the FIBA Americas U18
Championship. Six teams hit the road in chase for the trophy. The teams
also fight for 4 qualifying spots to the U19 World Championship to be
held next year in Thailand. The USA team considered one of the main
favorites for the title opened their campaign with a blowout victory
over Venezuela.
Kelsey Bone
(196-C-91) and
Lynetta Kizer
(191-C-90) scored 13 points apiece to pace balanced United States team
to an impressive success. Six players delivered in double figures in the
win.
Kelsey Bone
scored 7 points in the first period as the USA went on 25:10 run. The
United States never slowed down in the second frame and stretched the
gap to 24 points at halftime 50:26. The North American team opened the
second half with a 9:0 rally and then cruised to a 45-point cushion
after three quarters of action. United States easily overcame a
100-point mark and secured a stunning win at the end.
Alyssia Brewer
(191-C-90) and
Nneka Ogwumike
delivered 12 points apiece in a win.
Roselis Silva
(-G-90) answered with game-high 20 points for Venezuela.
Germary Blanco
(-90) notched 8 points in a losing case. The USA outrebounded their
opponents 44:27 and forced Venezuela to 38 turnovers. The Latin American
team also converted only 25% from the field. United States will face
Canada, while Venezuela will take on Puerto Rico today.
Canada U18 - Brazil U18 67:47 Canadian U18 National Team got to a winning start of the FIBA
Americas Championship in Argentina. They held off Brazilian counterparts
in the starting round of action in Buenos Aires. Six teams are to play
in the round-robin system with 4 top teams getting tickets to U19 World
Championship to be held in Thailand in 2009. Canada made the first step
towards Thailand as they rolled past Brazil yesterday. Canada dominated
inside the paint and it resulted in them taking a 16:8 lead after ten
minutes of action. Brazil continued to struggle offensively and let
Canada clear off to a 12-point distance at halftime. Brazil never
recovered in the second half as Canadian Juniors looked confident and
kept their opponents at bay. The lead was stretched to 17 points going
into the final stanza and Canada easily secured the winning outcome at
the end.
Elyse Jobin
(180-G-90) knocked down 11 points to pace Canada.
Stephanie Macdonald
(177-F) provided 10 points, while
Justine Colley
(175-G) added 9 points in a win.
Tassia Pereira
(175-G-92) answered with game-high 19 points for Brazil.
Cristiane Simoes
(192-F/C-91) nailed 10 points in defeat. Canada pulled down 48 rebounds
including 17 offensive ones. They also shot solid 46% from beyond the
arc. Canada will now take on the USA today. Brazil will try to bounce
back against Argentina later tonight.
Argentina U18 - Puerto Rico U18 64:52 The first day of action at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship
was closed with hosting Argentina taking on Puerto Rico. The teams
opened the game slowly as they could not adjust for the major part of
the opening stanza. The mistakes and missed shots plagued both sides in
the first period. They combined for 15 points and Argentina led 8:7 at
the end. However Argentina were the first to get things rolling. They
opened the second frame on a 12:4 run to extend the gap. Soon the hosts
opened up a double digit advantage and finished the first half leading
by 11 points 28:17. Puerto Rico never came back to life in the second
half. They committed too many mistakes down the stretch to hope for any
kind of positive result. Argentina widened the margin to as many as 15
points heading into the final period. Puerto Rico finally showed
character in the fourth term as they outscored the home team but it had
little impact on the final outcome. Argentina were paced by 18 points
from
Debora Gonzalez
(170-G-90).
Agostina Burrani
(188-C-90) had 10 points and 17 rebounds, while
Andrea Boquete
(178-F-90) added 10 points in a win.
Roxyali Munoz
(158-G-91) responded with 13 points for Puerto Rican team.
Astrid Miranda
(166-G-90) had 10 points and 5 boards in a losing effort. Argentina
forced their opponents to as many as 34 turnovers. They also limited
Puerto Rico to only 29% from the field.
