| FINAL STANDINGS 1. United States 2. CANADA 3. Argentina 4. Brazil 5. Paraguay 6 . Puerto Rico 7. Costa Rica | CANADIANS Megan Pinske (Coquitlam, B.C.) Kaitlyn Burke (North Vancouver, B.C.) Devan Lisson (Fredericton, N.B.) Kendel Ross (Sarnia, Ont.) Tara Watts (Surrey, B.C.) Kelsey Adrian (Langley, B.C.) Kalisha Keane (Ajax, Ont.) Miranda Ayim (London, Ont.) Laurelle Weigl (Stony Plain, Alta.) Krista Phillips (Saskatoon, Sask.) Krysten Boogaard (Regina, Sask.) Kathryn Hole (St. Albert, Alta.) Christine Stapleton – coach Donna Branch – assistant Angie McLeod – assistant Moriah Trowell – manager Patrice Pein – therapist |
| POOL A | USA | BRA | PAR | Record | |||
| United States | —– | 75-48 | 121-56 | (2-0) | |||
| Brazil | 48-75 | —– | 85-47 | (1-1) | |||
| Paraguay | 56-121 | 47-85 | —– | (0-2) | |||
| POOL B | CAN | ARG | PUR | COS | Record | ||
| Canada | —– | 64-53 | 81-41 | 92-28 | (3-0) | ||
| Argentina | 53-64 | —– | 71-56 | 70-31 | (2-1) | ||
| Puerto Rico | 41-18 | 56-71 | —– | 77-39 | (1-2) | ||
| Costa Rica | 28-92 | 31-70 | 39-77 | —– | (0-3) | ||
| 5-8th | Paraguay 80 Costa Rica 43 | |
| Semi | Canada 59 Brazil 55 | |
| Semi | United States 81 Argentina 47 | |
| 7th | Costa Rica | |
| 5th | Paraguay 70 Puerto Rico 48 | |
| Bronze | Argentina 73 Brazil 69 | |
| Final | United States 87 Canada 52 | |
Just prior to the start of the tournament, the Dominican Republic withdraws.
In its opener, Canada thrashed Puerto Rico 81-41. The Canadians used their superior size to build a 15-5 lead after one quarter. They maintained a similar margin at the half, 28-19, despite shooting poorly in the second quarter. Canada outscored Puerto Rico 20-12 in the third quarter and coasted to the easy win after ripping off a 27-3 run. “We played nervous in the first half,” said coach Christine Stapleton. “We changed our defensive strategy in the second half, which led to some easy baskets. We also had solid contributions from everyone on the floor. …I thought we got some nice inside touches, we picked up our defence and that settled us in offensively because we got some easy transition baskets. “Krysten Boogaard noted that “we played better as the game went on. There are still some things we need to work on but we are moving in the right direction.” Kalisha Keane paced Canada with 14 points on 4-15 from the floor, 5-5 from the arc, 10 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Kendel Ross added 13 on 6-10 from the floor, 4 boards and 5 steals. Megan Pinske notched 9 on 2-3 from the floor and 4-6 from the line. Devan Lisson scored 9 on 3-4 from the arc. Krista Phillips added 7 on 2-3 from the floor and 4 boards. Kate Hole scored 6 on 3-7 from the floor and 4 boards. Kaitlyn Burke scored 5 on 2-5 from the floor and 6 boards. Kelsey Adrian scored 5 on 2-7 from the floor and 8 boards. Laurelle Weigl notched 4 on 2-10 from the floor and 8 boards. Tara Watts scored 4 on 1-8 from the floor. Krysten Boogaard scored 3 and Miranda Ayim 2. Canada shot 29-84 (.345) from the floor, 7-21 (.333) from the arc and 16-23 (.696) from the line, while garnering 68 boards, including 25 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 17 assists, 22 turnovers, 7 blocks and 16 steals. Michelle Gonzalez led Puerto Rico with 18 points on 9-19 from the floor and 5 boards. Nelsy Rivera added 9, Katiria Rodriguez 5, France Puello 5, Myrka Agosto 2 and Zoelis Vega 2, while Yelitza Rivera, Zoennis Pallens, Keisha Bachour, Karol Martinez, Yeidaris Flores and Roxyalie Munoz were scoreless. Puerto Rico shot 17-65 (.262) from the floor, 5-25 (.200) from the arc and 2-7 (.286) from the line, while garnering 40 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 7 assists, 27 turnovers, 4 blocks and 4 steals.
Canada clipped Argentina 64-52 to improve to (2-0). Canada opened with a 19-9 run and led 36-20 at the half, appearing to have the game totally in command. But the Argentinians cranked up their defensive pressure, including full and half-court traps, and forced a raft of Canadian turnovers as they rallied in the second half. They cut the margin to four 3:40 to play but Kalisha Keane broke the press and drilled a trey as the Canadians reestablished a seven-point lead and then iced it from the line. “Kalisha can hit those big shots,” said coach Christine Stapleton. “The other thing that Kalisha can bring is a big that can handle the ball. That’s a tough matchup for them and I thought that helped us break their pressure a little bit.” Keane said “every play, I think was important. Those free throws at the end that Tara Watts hit right at the end really helped us out a lot. I think (the three) gave us a good momentum boost to kind of put down their spirits a little but it really came down to free throw shooting.” Stapleton also noted that Krista Phillips had a great game off the bench. “Krista was at the World Championships last year, so she has a certain amount of experience with those big games. She’s been nursing a knee injury the whole time we’ve been here, so we’ve been limiting her minutes and she came through for us in the clutch today.” Kalisha Keane led Canada with 18 on 5-9 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 6-6 from the line, 9 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals. Krista Phillips added 12 on 5-7 from the floor and 6 boards. Tara Watts scored 10 on 2-7 from the floor and 5-6 from the line. Laurelle Weigl scored 6 on 2-4 from the floor and 5 boards. Devon Lisson scored 5 on 2-3 from the floor. Miranda Ayim notched 5 on 3-4 from the line. Kendel Ross scored 4 on 2-10 from the floor and 11 boards. Megan Pinske added 2, Kelsey Adrian 2 and Krysten Boogaard 0. Canada shot 20-47 (.426) from the floor, 4-11 (.364) from the arc and 20-25 (.800) from the line, while garnering 46 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 13 assists, 28 turnovers, 5 blocks and 8 steals. Romina Antonella Pesante led Argentina with 19 on 7-18 from the floor, 3-8 from the arc and 4 boards. Sthefany Tomas Diaz added 12 on 4-15 from the floor, 2-8 from the arc and 7 boards. Sofia Castillo added 9, Noelia Gisele Pavicich 6, Noelei Lilen Zinna 3, Regina Calandra 2 and Guillermina Coz 2, while Andrea Kunkel, Ornella Bacchini, Muriel Magali Sauan and Karina Wirth were scoreless. Argentina shot 20-68 (.294) from the floor, 7-26 (.269) from the arc and 6-8 from the line, while garnering 33 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass, 12 fouls, 8 assists, 24 turnovers, 1 block and 7 steals.
Canada closed out pool play (3-0) after stomping Costa Rica 92-28. Canada took a 23-9 lead after one quarter on the stretch of a 17-2 run. Unable to contend with Canada’s size and strength, Costa Rica never threatened. “We really wanted to get our rhythm back offensively, getting out into space and then making reads off of our screening action,” said coach Christine Stapleton. “I thought we went inside very well today. Obviously, we had a bit of a size advantage. You have to take advantage of your strengths in this tournament. … This is a long tournament and everyone has roles to play on this team. It was nice to have role players step up and take advantage of the opportunities.” Canada cranked up the defensive pressure in the second half, holding Costa Rica to just six points, and none over the final 14:55. “We played as a team and move the ball well for good looks at the basket,” said Miranda Ayim. “We took advantage of our size and got the ball inside and it worked for us.” Krysten Boogaard paced Canada with 12 on 5-9 from the floor and 6 boards. Miranda Ayim notched 11 on 4-7 from the floor and 8 boards. Kaitlyn Burke added 11 on 4-6 from the floor, 2-3 from the arc and 5 steals. Kate Hole scored 10 on 3-6 from the floor, 4-6 from the line and 5 boards. Tara Watts scored 9 on 3-5 from the floor and 5 assists. Kelsey Adrian notched 9 on 4-9 from the floor. Kendel Ross scored 8 on 4-6 from the floor and 11 boards. Megan Pinske scored 7 on 3-5 from the floor, 7 boards and 6 assists. Laurelle Weigl added 5, Devon Lisson 5 and Kalisha Keane 4. Canada shot 37-70 (.529) from the floor, 8-19 (.421) from the arc and 10-22 (.455) from the line, while garnering 61 boards, including 22 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 28 assists, 18 turnovers, 7 blocks and 15 steals. Yuri Alvardo Mora led Costa Rica with 11 on 3-19 from the floor. Marianne Villalobos added 8, Silvia Penaranda 4, Sofia Navarro 2, Estibaliz Zuniga 2, Stephanie Gourzong 1, Melissa Ramirez 0 and Karina Alvarez 0. Costa Rica shot 8-53 (.151) from the floor, 4-29 (.138) from the arc and 8-15 (.533) from the line, while garnering 28 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 7 assists, 25 turnovers and 10 steals.
Canada finishes (3-0) in pool play and advances to the semi-finals.
In the semis, Canada nips Brazil 59-55. Canada completely dominated the first half. They opened with a 12-2 run and added a 15-2 run in the second quarter as their pressure defence and patient offence yield dividends. Holding Brazil scoreless for the final 6:49 of the first half, Canada led 41-19 at the break. The second half was almost disastrous. Brazil went to a full-court press and generated a raft of turnovers as Canadian guards struggled to bring the ball up the floor. When the Canadians managed the task, Brazil backed into a 3-2 zone and the Canadians struggled to find the seams, while hitting .143 from the floor in the frame. Brazil rallied to within four down the stretch but Kendal Ross stemmed the bleeding from a 12-0 run by nailing a trey as Canada regained a seven-point lead and held on for the win. “Kendel found herself with an open look at the right time, and her feet were under her, and she hit it,” said coach Christine Stapleton. “Every game, we’ve had a different girl step up and hit big shots. Today, it was Kendel’s turn.” Stapleton credited Brazil with good adjustments in the second half. “They’re so big and long and athletic and they were very aggressive in guarding us. They went to a 3-2 zone defence and we just forgot to look to attack and when we did look to attack, I thought we got some real nice inside looks but we just didn’t finish them.” Ross said “we came out to play in the first half but they caught us on our heels in the second half. But we took care of business when we had to in the end and were able to get the defensive stops we needed.” Kendal Ross paced Canada with 19 on 6-11 from the floor, 4-5 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 12 boards, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Kelsey Adrian added 13 on 4-12 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 3-5 from the line and 10 boards. Kalisha Keane notched 12 on 3-10 from the floor, 5-8 from the line and 6 boards. Miranda Ayim scored 11 on 3-10 from the floor, 5-5 from the line, 6 boards and 2 steals. Devan Lisson added 1 and Krysten Boogaard 2, while Megan Pinske, Kaitlyn Burke, Tara Watts, Laurelle Weigl and Krista Phillips were scoreless. Phillips was 0-8 from the floor but nabbed 5 boards. Patricia Dos Santos Paulo led Brazil with 17 points on 5-14 from the floor, 5-6 from the line, 5 boards and 3 assists. Angela Braglin added 14 on 4-15 from the floor, 6 boards and 6 steals. Michele Vaz Lopes added 11 on 3-6 from the floor, 5-7 from the line and 7 boards. Danila Silveira De Mondonca Fabri added 7, Julia Pereira Santos 2, Samanta Fernandes De A. Ludwig 2 and Djane Dos Santos 2, while Laylla Borges Pinheiro, Thais Caroline Bolognini Viana, Dominick Vicente Rocha and Nadia Gomes Colhado were scoreless. Brazil shot 16-66 (.242) from the floor, 4-12 from the arc and 19-31 (.613) from the line, while garnering 55 boards, including 24 on the offensive glass, 25 fouls, 7 assists, 23 turnovers, 7 blocks and 13 steals.
In the gold medal match, the United States leveled Canada 87-52. The score was briefly knotted at four but the U.S. promptly ripped off a 10-0 run as Kayla Pedersen and Kyadijah Rushdan nailed treys and never looked back. “We came out on fire. It was our last game so we gave it all we had,” said guard Italee Lucas. “We pretty much said that we were going to go out and have fun in our last game, play our game, so that’s what we did. Everything came together, all the heartache, sweat and tears over the past three weeks, everything came together for the gold medal. And this feels pretty good.” The U.S. led 26-15 after one quarter, with Canada being held to just two field goals after the opening buckets. The U.S. ripped off a 14-0 run in the second quarter as they build at commanding 46-26 lead at the half. The American outscored the Canadians 21-14 and 20-12 in the final two quarters. Jayne Appel noted that coach Doug Bruno “said that for us to be able to win, that we need to outhustle them, and everything else, out compete them, just do all the little stuff, rebounding, boxing out, blocking shots. I knew if we came out with a lot of energy and played how we can play, then yeah, we could. But we also knew that they’re a very good team and play well together, so we just pressured them a lot. The six-hour practice days definitely paid off when we were standing up there. It felt really good to get the gold medal.” Bruno said “it was a total team effort and a 40-minute effort. It came on both sides of the ball, the spotting play that we experienced before was gone. We’ve been winning, but we’ve been spotty. It was a total effort, total sharing, total half-court and full-court execution. It was a great team win to be part of.” Canadian coach Christine Stapleton said “I thought we competed well in the second half against an extremely athletic American team. We are extremely proud of our silver medal.” Kaitlyn Burke noted that “we came out strong and ready to compete in the second half. We gave our best and didn’t let up. This was a great learning experience and we will be ready for the World championship next summer.” Tina Charles paced the U.S. with 13 points on 6-15 from the floor and 13 boards. Khadijah Rushdan added 12 on 5-10 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc and 6 assists. Maya Moore notched 12 on 5-13 from the floor, 5 boards and 5 steals. Victoria Baugh scored 12 on 6-7 from the floor. Italee Lucas notched 11 on 4-10 from the floor. Jayne Appel scored 9 on 4-8 from the floor and 12 boards. Kayle Pedersen added 8, Kelley Cain 6 and Jantel Lavender 4, while Nikita Gartrell and Stefanie Gilbreath were scoreless. The United States shot 38-86 (.442) from the floor, 7-18 (.389) from the arc and 4-9 (.444) from the line, while garnering 60 boards, including 26 on the offensive glass, 19 fouls, 25 assists, 16 turnovers, 7 blocks and 11 steals. Tara Watts paced Canada with 10 points on 2-3 from the arc, 4-5 from the line and 4 assists. Megan Pinske added 8 on 2-9 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 4 boards. Kaitlyn Burke scored 8 on 3-7 from the floor. Kelsey Adrian notched 7 on 2-10 from the floor. Miranda Ayim scored 6 on 3-7 from the floor and 5 boards. Krysten Boogaard scored 6 on 4-6 from the line and 8 boards. Kendal Ross scored 3 on 1-10 from the floor and 7 boards. Krista Phillips added 2, Kate Hole 2, Laurelle Weigl 0 and Devon Lisson 0. Canada shot 14-58 (.241) from the floor, 6-20 (.300) from the arc and 18-23 (.783) from the line, while garnering 38 boards, including 13 on the offensive glass, 11 fouls, 11 assists, 24 turnovers and 7 steals.