2017 FIBA U16 Americas: Daily Reports

Day 5

Championship Sunday was full of first wins, lopsided victories and a host country bronze medal. Here are highlights from the final day of the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship:

USA’s Statement Win

The 2017 USA team took on the mission of returning the gold medal to the USA after a third place finish at 2015 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship in Puebla, Mexico. Head Coach Carla Berube and her staff were assigned with the task of bringing together twelve young ladies from all across the United States in a little over a week and they did a magnificent job. Through out the tournament, Team USA played with great energy and passion for each other. The team's success was fun to watch.

Their Championship match up with Canada was highly anticipated since both teams marched through pool play and the semifinals. Canada’s athleticism, length, and pressure defense caused opposing teams fits, but their struggle from beyond the three point line was a concern going into the final. 

The first quarter was fast paced with both teams taking advantage of fast break points and getting timely jumpers which gave Team USA a 27-21 lead at the end of the quarter. The second quarter was a different story for Canada, who went cold and after the first couple minutes and could not buy a basket. Team USA continued their hot shooting to win the quarter 23-5 and go into halftime with a 25 point lead.

Coming out of the half, both teams got sloppy and struggled to finish plays, but Team USA was able to extend their lead to 33. Team USA started the fourth quarter making another run to push themselves to a 91-46 victory and the Gold medal at the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas. 

USA Stat Leaders

Azzi Fudd: 18 points, 5 steals

Aliyah Boston: 15 points 

Zia Cooke: 15 points

Paige Bueckers: 11 points 

Diamond Miller: 10 points

 

Canada Stat Leaders

Merissah Russell 12 points 

Deanna Tuchscherer 10 points 

 

Key Game Stats

Points from Turnovers: USA 36 Canada 7

Points in the Paint: USA 46 Canada 26

Second Chance Points: USA 19 Canada 7

Fast Break Points: USA 18 Canada 6

Bench Points: USA 52 Canada 22

• *Quick apologies to Caitlin Clark, Diamond Miller, and Azzi Fudd with whom I did not get an interview throughout the tournament

 

Host Wins Bronze

In the third place game the host country, Argentina, jumped out to a 20-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Colombia didn’t go away. Throughout the tournament Colombia battled no matter what the score was and this game was no different. In the second and third quarters, Colombia’s defense slowed down Argentina’s half court execution by doubling ball screens. Their offense got going in the fourth quarter. Colombia’s Stephanny Orozco hit a timely three to help Columbia tie the game up at 49 at the end of regulation. In overtime, the extra minutes served to wake up Argentina, and they won to give the Bronze medal to the host country.

 

Argentina Stat Leaders

Florencia Chagas: 20 points, 20 rebounds

Sofia Acevedo: 19 points 

 

Post Game Interview with Argentina’s Head Coach Laura Cors

 

 

 

Post Game Interview with Argentina’s Sofia Acevedo

 

 

Colombia Stat Leaders

Stephanny Orozco: 15 points

Daniella Gonzalez: 11 points, 9 rebounds

 

Post Game Interview with Colombia’s Head Coach Guillermo Moreno

 

First Win

The ride home is always better after a win and for Puerto Rico they got their first in their final game with a 76-69 victory over the Dominican Republic. Through out the tournament, no team had to deal with injuries as much as Puerto Rico who lost Angelee Rodriguez and Keysha Santiago in Puerto Rico’s second game of the tournament. 

For Jackie Vargas-Bines, Angelee Rodriguez, and Gianna Bolden, they got the unique opportunity to represent Puerto Rico while they study and live in the United States. Below is their interviews about their experience:

 

Jackie Vargas-Bines

 

 

Angelee Rodriguez

 

 

Gianna Bolden

 

Day 4 

Day four of the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship saw two lopsided semifinal games and others playing for the pride of their country. The day’s highlights:

Canada Wins

In a game where both teams combined for 60 turnovers, Canada was able to capitalize more off the turnovers they caused than Colombia. Canada lead the entire game and dominated the boards to get the 64-38 victory over Colombia and move on to the Gold Medal Game.

Post Game Interview with Canada’s Head Coach Jodi Graham

 

Post Game Interview with Canada’s Merissah Russell

 

Post Game Interview with Canada’s Sarah Te-Bisau

 

USA Wins

In the second semifinal of the day, Team USA took on host country Argentina. With a back and forth first quarter, Team USA led 17-13, but in the second, Team USA made some adjustments and turned up the defensive pressure. After halftime the pressure continued and Team USA caused 39 turnovers which lead to 44 points off those turnovers. For Team USA, every player scored in the 98-42 victory.

Post Game Interview with USA’s Celeste Taylor

Post Game Interview with USA’s Kylee Watson

 

 

 

Post Game Interview with USA’s Fran Belibi

 

 

 

Finals Preview

After convincing wins, Canada and USA both advance to the finals of the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most spectators expected this to be the final and both got here in convincing fashion. Here are my keys for both teams:

 

• Who wins the rebounding battle?

 

Both teams have been monsters on the boards against teams that couldn’t match them in size, but in the finals Canada and USA have comparable size. So who can create the most second chance opportunities with offensive rebounds?

 

• Who takes care of the basketball?

 

Both teams get after the basketball on the defensive end so the guard play will be key. 

 

• Coaching Match Up

 

Both teams are well coached and faced each other in a scrimmage before the tournament. Offensively, both teams have run the same stuff all tournament so it will be interesting to see what new wrinkles the coaching staffs have put in for the championship game.

 

I expect a back and forth game with lots of energy. Tune in on FIBA’s YouTube channel at 7:30 pm.

Day 3

Day three from the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship was action packed with teams qualifying for the 2018 FIBA U17 World Championship for the first time ever, a night cap that went down to the final seconds and teams taking steps forward for their country. Read all about in PBR’s recap:

A First for Colombia

The day got started with Colombia taking on Mexico with the winner making the semifinals but more importantly qualifying for the 2018 FIBA U17 World Championship. The game was back and forth with ten lead changes and 8 ties. At the half, Colombia held onto a slim one point lead. Both coaches did a masterful job of making in game adjustments. Midway through the fourth quarter, Mexico made a run to take a 39-34 lead with under four minutes left then Mexico went cold and had some costly turnovers. Colombia ended the game with an 11-2 run to pull out the 45-41 victory to reach the semifinals and qualify for their first ever FIBA U17 World Championship. Colombia’s Head Coach Guillermo Moreno puts this win in perspective for us:

 

Columbia has been lead all tournament by Daniela Gonzalez, who finished with 15 points and 19 rebounds against Mexico. Here is her post game interview:

 

2018 FIBA U17 World Championship Qualifiers

Argentina
Canada
Colombia
USA
 

Night Cap

In 2016, Canada won the FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship and Argentina just missed on on qualifying after a loss to Mexico. This year both teams have already qualified for the 2018 FIBA U17 World Championship, but their match on day three was to determine the winner of Pool A and, more importantly, who wouldn’t have to face USA in the semifinals. Fourteen was a significant number for Canada in the first half because they caused that many turnovers and had that many offensive rebounds. Canada’s aggressive play was rewarded with a 38-26 lead at the half. 

Coming out of half time, Canada missed some opportunities to extend the lead which gave Argentina a chance to find their balance and cut into Canada’s lead. For any comeback a team must get stops plus big baskets, and that is what Argentina did with the likes of Florencia Chagas, Candela Gentinetta, and Sofia Acevedo leading the way. Canada lead the entire game until with just over 2:30 left in the game when Argentina took their first lead. There was six lead changes and three ties in the final two half minutes but it was Canada’s Donna Ntambue with back to back steals with less then thirty seconds that was the deciding factor in Canada’s 71-65 win over Argentina.

Canada’s Stat Leaders:

Brynn Masikewich: 15 points, 20 rebounds

Sarah Te-Biasu: 15 points, 6 steals

Donna Ntambue: 13 points, 6 rebounds

Aaliyah Edwards: 10 points 

 

Argentina’s Stat Leaders:

Sofia Acevedo 19 points 

Florencia Chagas: 16 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists

Candela Gentinetta: 14 points, 7 rebounds

 

Canada’s Head Coach Jody Graham post game interview:

 

Canada’s Brynn Masikewich post game interview:

 

Winners of Pool B

Not all wins are pretty, but in tournament play a win is a win. USA did just that in their win against Puerto Rico. Team USA shot 30.9% from the field and 12% from beyond the three point line in a game in which every USA team member scored. With the win, Team USA finished pool play with a 3-0 record to win Pool B and will face Argentina in the semifinals.

USA Stat Leaders:

Aliyah Boston: 17 points, 12 rebounds

Paige Bueckers: 12 points

 

Post Game Interview with Head Coach Carla Berube:

 

Post Game Interview with Jordyn Oliver:

 

Post Game Interview with Zia Cooke:

 

Steps Forward

The FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship brings together eight nations from all over North and South America to compete. Annually Canada and USA are the heavy favorites but for some nations medaling isn’t the only for their nations youth basketball programs to take a step forward. In their first trip to the FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship, the Dominican Republic has brought a young team, not only in international play but in age. The Dominican Republic government has recently got behind the women’s basketball youth development program so being in the FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship has brought attention to the program. Here is what Dominican Republic U16 Head Coach had to say:

 

Dominican Republic’s Maria Fernanda Manzano Interview:

 

With three of Puerto Rico’s players studying the in USA, Puerto Rico’s Head Coach Luis Morillo has a different struggle on his hands because of the limited availability to work with the entire team leading up to the FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship. Below is the Head Coach sharing the ways Puerto Rico's women's youth program is stepping forward at the championship:

 

Day Four Game Schedule

 

Re-Classification

Venezuela vs Puerto Rico @ 12:45 pm EST

Mexico vs Dominican Republic @ 3:00 pm EST

 

Semifinals

Canada vs Colombia @ 5:15 pm EST

USA vs Argentina @ 7:30 pm EST

DAY 2

The second day of the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Championship saw three teams (Argentina, Canada, and USA) secure spots in the semi-finals and more importantly secured their spot in the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup on July 21-29, 2018. 

Team USA’s Convincing Win

Behind the hot shooting of Mexico’s Karina Esquer, Mexico trailed USA 14-13 at the end of the first quarter. USA struggled to finish plays throughout the quarter but that all changed in the second when USA went on a run and won the quarter 33-14 to give them a twenty point lead at the half. The second half was much of the same as defense lead to offense for Team USA. Team USA hit triple digits in the 100 to 37 win. 

Stat Leaders of the Game:

Zia Cooke: 11 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds

Paige Bueckers: 15 points, 3 assists

Samantha Brunelle: 18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists

Francesca Belibi: 12 points, 7 rebounds

Aliyah Boston: 6 points, 10 rebounds

 

Post Game Interview with USA Head Coach Carla Berube

 

Post Game Interview with Jordyn Horston

 

Post Game Interview with Paige Bueckers

 

Canada Continues to Roll

Canada’s pressure defense was too much for the Dominican Republic as Canada jumped out to a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Canada’s win secured them a spot in the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup and also set up a Friday night matchup with host Argentina to determine who wins pool A. 

Stat Leaders:

Sarah Te-Biasu: 13 points, 5 steals

Donna Ntambue: 9 points, 10 rebounds

Yvonne Ejim: 14 points, 10 rebounds

Brynn Ann Masikewich: 22 points, 10 rebounds

 

Host Country Success

Argentina has been a great host for the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas. After losing to Mexico in 2016 to miss out on the 2017 FIBA U17 World Championship, the host country left no doubt with their 71-42 victory over Venezuela to punch their ticket for the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup. Argentina’s execution in the half court was impressive. They consistently made the extra pass to the wide open shooter. Argentina’s win set up a match up with Canada on day three to determine the winner of pool A and more importantly the winner doesn’t have to face Team USA in the semi-finals.

Stat Leaders:

Victoria Gauna: 10 points

Sofia Acevedo: 18 points 

Florencia Chagas: 15 points, 7 assists

 

Post Game Interview with Head Coach Laura Cors

 

Post Game Interview with Florencia Chagas

 

BIG GAMES

 

Columbia vs Mexico

Winner gets 2nd in Pool B, makes semi-finals, and secures a spot at 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup

 

Canada vs Argentina

Both have secured their spot in the semi-finals and for 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup but the winner will be opposite of Team USA in the semi-finals.

DAY 1


The 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship is hosted this week in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Each day I will be brining you my thoughts on the day of competition and experiences in Buenos Aires.

 

USA defeats Columbia 91-33

 

Two years removed from a third place finish in Mexico, which many would say rocked international waters with Brazil beating USA, the USA got started with an impressive win over Columbia. Team USA jumped out to a 32-4 first quarter lead behind 2019 Aliyah Boston’s nine points in the quarter. Defense lead the way for the Team USA as they forced many turnovers in the quarter which lead to easy baskets. In the second quarter Columbia played more spirited basketball and hit some threes while USA missed some chippies and their defensive intensity dropped a bit which allowed Columbia to win the quarter 15-14 but went into half down 46-19.

 

Head Coach Carla Berube’s halftime speech worked because Team USA responded by winning the third quarter 26-9 and the fourth quarter 19-5. The defensive intensity picked up for Team USA and their execution in the half court improved through out the second half.

 

Five players finished in double figures:

 

2019 Aliyah Boston 17 points 9 rebounds

2019 Samantha Brunelle 13 points 7 rebounds

2020 Caitlin Clark 11 points

2020 Paige Bueckers 10 points

2020 Kylee Watson 10 points

 

Post Game interview with Head Coach Carla Berube

 

 

Post Game interview with 2019 Samantha Brunelle

 

 

Post Game interview with 2019 Aliyah Boston

 

 

Today, Team USA takes on Mexico at 3 pm EST and you can watch online at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3FCFUEAK7Q&list=PLCXERy73Oiz-cR7dF6i5AH6B8YKK3UKR9&index=2

Canada defeats Venezuela 89-38

 

Canada jumped all over Venezuela early winning the first quarter 23-5 and never looked back winning the game 89-38. Canada’s roster is full of long athletes that Head Coach Dani Sinclair can interchange. They get after it on the defensive end and like to leak out in transition. 

 

Canada finished with five players in double digits:

 

2019 Brynn Ann Masikewich 17 points 6 rebounds

2020 Merissah Russell 15 points 7 rebounds

2020 Aaliyah Edwards 13 points 8 rebounds

2019 Deanna Tuchscherer 11 points 7 rebounds

2019 Donna Ntambue 10 points 

 

2020 Yvonne Ejim 7 points 12 rebounds

 

With no Brazil, due to FIBA suspension, the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s team is a two horse race between Canada and USA. Baring any major upset, the championship game between Canada and USA will be fun to watch with both teams stacked with Global #PremierCertified players. (More to come on the match ups through out the tournament)

 

Top 4 Qualify

 

The top four team finishers for the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Women’s Championship qualify for the 2018 FIBA U17 World Championship on July 21-29 in a location to be determined. After day one, here are my Top 4:

 

Canada (defending champions)

USA

Argentina

Mexico 

 

Day 2 Game Schedule

 

Puerto Rico vs Columbia @ 12:45 pm EST

 

USA vs Mexico @ 3:00 om EST

 

Dominican Republic vs Canada @ 5:15 pm EST

 

Argentina vs Venezuela @ 7:30 pm EST