Venezuela finishes at fourth place in the 2023 Women's U17 South American Championship

Venezuela's U17 Women's Team finished at fourth place in the 2023 edition of the U17 South American Championship, played at Bicentenario Colisseum in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

The team coached by Oscar Silva started the tournament with a tough loss against Colombia, 60-38. Yesimar Escudero (2007) was the top scorer with 8 points and she added 3 rebounds. Fabiana Garcia (169-PG-2006) added 7 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals while Vanessa Reyes (2007) finished up with 7 points and 2 assists and Enggy Rudas (181-C-2006) grabbed 8 rebounds and scored 2 points.

For Colombia, Meredith Venner completed a double double of 18 points and 17 rebounds, adding 6 steals, Maria Perez helped with 11 points,7 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals, Luisa Morantes scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and Stephanie Vega added 8 points, a couple of assists and two steals.

Venezuela then played a nice fourth quarter to come back and defeat Chile, 73-69. Fabiana Garcia led the way with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals, followed by Astrid Inojosa with 14 points and 3 steals, Yesimar Escudero with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists, Vanessa Reyes with 10 points, 4 boards and 2 assists and Alexandra Cabeza with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.

For Chile, Sofia Leichtle finished up with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Nissi Delgado added a double double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, Catalina Roco ended with 12 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks and Oliveria Eschmann added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals.

Silva's team went on to take down Bolivia, 74-68 and advance to the next round. Astrid Inojosa was the main scorer with 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, Vanessa Reyes added 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Yesimar Escudero supported them with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals and Darleska Perez (2007) finished up with 9 points, 6 rebounds and a couple of steals.

For Bolivia, Daira Alias finished up with 17 points, 3 assista and 5 steals, Sofia Reyes added 12 points, 6 boards, 4 assists and 2 blocks, Maria Viveros had 12 points and 5 steals and Maria Javier 10 points, 5 rebounds and 7 steals.

Then, in the semifinals, Brazil ended Venezuela's hopes thanks to a 71-61 win. They were led by Micaela Cavalcanti with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals, Alexia Araujo with 14 points and 9 boards, Sther Ubaka with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Manuella Alves with 8 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks.

For Venezuela, Astrid Inojosa netted 18 points, adding 3 assists and 4 steals, Fabiana Garcia finished up with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 7 steals and Vanessa Reyes added 10 points and 6 boards.

Finally, in the Bronze Medal game, Venezuela couldn't overcome Argentina and the blue and white team took third place, 79-71.

Argentina's top scorers were Sol Depetris with 16 points and 5 assists, Stephanie Smidt with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Fiamma Solis with 10 points.

For the Vinotinto squad, Fabiana Garcia netted 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Fabiana Hernandez (2006) added 10 points and a couple of assists, Valeria Montero supported them with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals, Vanessa Reyes added 10 points and 4 rebounds and Yesimar Escudero ended with 8 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists.

Brazil defeated the hosts Colombia, 65-55, to earn the Gold Medal.