by Mike Flynn
PUEBLA, MEX – The third day of the 2015 FIBA Americas u16 Championships was a full day of exciting basketball, unknown at most FIBA events, even in Europe. And with the star power of the USA, Brazil, Canada and host Mexico, intense competitive games were provided by the “other four” of Honduras, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba.
Usually the bottom four “National” teams are not capable of even beating even American high school teams. This year, the other seven countries after the USA, brought their best lineups ever. Since each team has at least one or two minimum NCAA Division 1 talent (low to mid to high) this made for competitive games.
The afternoon game between Argentina and Honduras was another slug fest of teams with two players each leading the charge. Argentina got 21 points, 9 rebounds from 5-8 guard Valentina Silva and 13 points from 5-4 point Candela Foresto to counter the two stars Honduras stars 6-0 jumper and monster player Danna Jackson’s 17 points, 24 rebounds and 5-7 Nelly Leva’s 25 points to take the game 62-52.
The next game between athletic Cuba and feisty Honduras left nothing to be missed. Cuba dominated the first quarter take a 23-12 lead but let it slip away in the 3rd quarter to head into the final frame up by 2 points. It was a battle between long, lean, super-quick guards like Cuban star 5-9 scoring guard Eli Armentero and 5-7 combo guard Daymaris Millet. (Both superior D1 top 20 talents.) Honduras countered with a deceptive, relentless game which pushed and shoved the quicker Cubans off their game led by their two talents, 5-5 13-year-old guard Luisanny Duran (playing all 40 min.) and 6-0 jumper Aguehil Girall to almost grab the game falling 73-71 in the final seconds.
These two exciting, even games set the stage for the final two evening contests of the power teams, Brazil vs Canada and the USA against host Mexico with a strong team and a pack house home crowd.
Brazil has at least nine high major Division 1 talents led by superstar 5-11 point Isabella Leite. Canada counters with at least 9 high D1’s also but without a star power focus. Brazil pushed the ball, hit the boards and grabbed a quick 21-13 1st quarter lead. Canada Coach Caroline Clarke didn’t panic and continued to sub in players back and forth keeping the game fully up-tempo to claw back down 2 points at half.
The pace and three fouls to Brazil’s other superstar forward, 6-2 Geovana Lopes enabled Canada to force more turnover and stifle the Brazil offense with a continuous parade of players to move ahead by 47-39. Brazil tried to close the gap but didn’t have enough scoring discipline and seemed exhausted by the pace and fell to Canada 64-50. It was a full team effort led by 6-2 post Kayla Shand with 17 points.
The evening finale between the USA and host Mexico had all the excitement of a big-time college men’s game. The house was packed, loud and never failing to make noise as Mexico kept the game close with constantly shifting defenses.
Despite being down 16-10 after the first quarter to the USA, the hosts continued to play hard, run the floor and try to bang inside with the Americans.
Team USA entered halftime up 33-19 but with all the noise and intensity it felt like they were down 10.
While the game was never in doubt, Coach Dori Oldaker kept up the pace with full court man-to-man pressure and pushing the ball on most opportunities. It was another balanced team effort with all USA players scoring, getting double digit minutes and finding new leading scorers this time from 5-9 guard Destiny Littleton with 17 points, 5-6 point guard Alexis Morris with 15 and 6-2 forward Aquira DeCosta and 6-3 forward Alexis Myers both with 10 points each.
The four teams in the evening session play again late Friday night in the Pool winner crossover semi-finals. Canada with the virtue of its hard fought win, avoid the USA to try and make the finals having to face Mexico in the late game. USA faces a big foe in Brazil which has enough horses and talent to make it a close contest, possibly pulling off the upset. It will be the star power and bench depth that will decide who get to the finals.
It was left to Canadian Coach Caroline Clarke who’s been to this event for her 3rd time to put this year’s crop of teams into perspective.
