Trinidad and Tobago's U16 girls felt short 50-59 to Guatemala in Game 4 of the Centrobasket U17 Women's 2023 Qualifiers in Nicaragua on July 30. With the result, team T&T failed to qualify for the 2023 Centrobasket U17 Women's Championships as only the top four teams are guaranteed a spot.
Guatemala won the tip off and ran up an early 6-0 lead at the 6:33 mark as T&T missed its' first seven attempts. With 5:26 left in the first quarter power forward Amariah Clyne registered T&T first basket as Costa Rica held advantage, 6-2. Two minutes later, Clyne scored again. Afterwards, T&T's Julia George grabbed a defensive rebound and followed up with a three-pointer to reduce the deficit 7-8. A lay-up by point guard Carissa Ramdial with 55secs remaining give T&T their first lead, 9-8. An offensive rebound by Mya-Leanna Raymond resulted in a second attempt as Ramdial hit a three-pointer for a 12-8 lead.
In the second quarter, Guatemala's Maria Enriquez scored five points including a 3-pointer as they regained control 13-12 at 8:21 mark. Thereafter, both teams traded baskets at each end of the floor with Guatemala having a slight edge 24-22 at the end.
At the start of the third period, both teams seemed evenly matched and by the 8:24 mark each team failed to score. Led by their scoring threesome of Ramdial, Clyne and Raymond, T&T enjoyed their biggest lead 37-30 with 3:55 left. With 00:12secs left on the clock, guard Ty Warwick scored three free-throws from four attempts in successive possessions as T&T close out the period with a 47-42 advantage.
With a possible final qualifying spot up for grasps, Guatemala scored the first three points. Thereafter, both teams battled each other scoring on alternative opportunities. With 4:26 left, Marilyn Chocoyo jump shot tied the game for Guatemala 49-49. Fatima Arenada give them the lead 51-49. Then Daniela Navarro's three pointer extended it to 54-49. Clyne scored one free throw as T&T trailed 50-55 with 2:44 left. It was T&T first point in almost six minutes. Eventually, Guatemala secured a spot as the contest ended 59-50.
For the winners, power forward Valeria Oliva top scored with 18Pts, 8Rebs, 1Ast & 2Stls; forward Maria Enriquez had 12Pts, 6Rbs, 1Ast & 3Stls; & point guard Marilyn Chocoyo chipped in with 9Pts, 6Rebs, 6Asts & 2Stls.
Clarissa Ramdial led T&T with 17Pts, 6Rebs, 2Asts & 4Stls; Clyne had another double-double 12Pts & 13Rebs with 1Ast and 2Stls; Raymond scored 8Pts, 6Rebs, 4Asts & 5Stls; George had 6Pts, 4Rebs, 6Asts & 2Stls; and center Mariah Charles grabbed a game & tournament high 20Rebs along with 3Pts, 1Blk & 1Stl.
T&T final game is against Honduras, on Sunday at 5:00pm. Both teams will be battling for their only win of the tournament.
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