| FINAL STANDINGS: 1. United States 2. Cuba 3. Brazil 4. Argentina 5. CANADA 6. Chile 7. Mexico 8. Jamaica | CANADIANS Sheila Townsend (Vancouver, B.C.) Teresa Gabriele (Mission, B.C.) Uzoma Asagwara (Winnipeg, Man.) Isabelle Grenier (Quebec City, Que.) Kim Smith (Surrey, B.C.) Sarah Crooks (Rockglen, Sask.) Devon Campbell (Vancouver, B.C.) Amanda Brown (Montreal, Que.) Lizanne Murphy (Montreal, Que.) Tamara Tatham (East York, Ont.) Chelsea Aubry (Oshawa, Ont.) Jordan Adams (Spokane, Wash.) Allison McNeill – coach Lisa Thomaidis – assistant Mike McNeill – assistant Shannon Morrison – physiotherapist Joyce Slipp – manager Dr. Kristen Wingfield – physician |
| POOL A | BRZ | ARG | CHI | MEX | Record | ||
| Brazil | —– | 72-62 | 104-60 | 119-44 | (3-0) | ||
| Argentina | 62-72 | —– | 66-63 | 90-52 | (2-1) | ||
| Chile | 60-104 | 63-66 | —– | 85-54 | (1-2) | ||
| Mexico | 44-119 | 52-90 | 54-85 | —– | (0-3) | ||
| POOL B | USA | CUB | CAN | JAM | Record | ||
| United States | —– | 85-79 | 85-37 | 115-47 | (3-0) | ||
| Cuba | 79-85 | —– | 75-52 | 76-62 | (2-1) | ||
| Canada | 37-85 | 52-75 | —– | 68-47 | (1-2) | ||
| Jamaica | 47-115 | 62-76 | 47-68 | —– | (0-3) | ||
| 5-8th | Canada 77 Mexico 38 | |
| 5-8th | Chile 75 Jamaica 67 | |
| Semi | United States 104 Argentina 53 | |
| Semi | Cuba 69 Brazil 67 | |
| 7th | Mexico 62 Jamaica 55 | |
| 5th | Canada 86 Chile 68 | |
| Bronze | Brazil 73 Argentina 41 | |
| Final | United States 101 Cuba 71 | |
Canada opened the draw with a 68-47 win over Jamaica. Canada, ranked 11th in the world, jumped out to an early lead against the unranked Jamaican side, outscoring their opponent 18-3 in the first quarter. Canada’s post defence was stifling, limiting Jamaica to outside shots and few offensive rebounds. Canada also took advantage of Jamaica’s early game fouls, shooting nine-of-10 from the free-throw line. A pair of three-pointers by Sainte Foy, Quebec, native Isabelle Grenier gave Canada a quick start to the second quarter before Jamaica regrouped, finding their offensive rhythm and going on a 10-3 run to cut Canada’s lead to seven points with just under four minutes remaining in the first half. Seeing their double-digit lead slip away, Canada began to attack the hoop more aggressively as halftime approached, running in transition and finishing the quarter on an 11-4 run to take a 37-24 lead to the locker room. The third stanza was a high-tempo, back-and-forth affair, with Canada outscoring Jamaica 16-10 to increase their lead to 53-34. Jamaica came out running-and-gunning to start the fourth quarter, going on a 6-0 run to open the period, but could not maintain their offensive rhythm as Canada’s tenacious defence once again proved too difficult to handle. Canada then went on a 9-2 run to build a 20-point lead and coasted to the win. “This was a great game for us to work out the kinks as we had not played an international team in a while,” said coach Allison McNeill. “It was also an opportunity to work Kim Smith back into the lineup. We had an outstanding first quarter, only giving up three points; we also had great play off the bench.” Kim Smith paced Canada with 17 on 1-1 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc, 9-10 from the line, 10 boards and 3 steals. Amanda Brown added 11 on 4-6 from the floor, 3-3 from the line and 8 boards. Isabelle Grenier notched 10 on 2-3 from the floor and 2-11 from the arc. Lizanne Murphy scored 9 on 4-5 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 2 assists. Jordan Adams notched 8 on 3-5 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Tamara Tatham added 4, Chelsea Aubry 4, Sarah Crooks 3 and Sheila Townsend 2, while Teresa Gabriele, Uzoma Asagwara and Devon Campbell were scoreless. Canada shot 19-34 (.560) from the floor, 4-20 (.200) from the arc and 18-25 (.720) from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 19 fouls, 16 turnovers, 9 steals and 1 block. Simone Edwards paced Jamaica with 25 on 8-15 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 6-8 from the line, 7 boards and 3 blocks. Nicole Louden added 8 on 4-11 from the floor, 5 boards and 2 blocks. Vanessa Gidden notched 6 on 2-6 from the floor and 5 boards. Jessica Simmonds added 4, Demoya Williams 3 and Oberon Pitterson 2, while Rashida Aikens, Tracy-Ann Holness, Kim Bennett, Althea Byfield and Rebecca Richman were scoreless. Jamaica shot 17-51 (.330) from the field, 1-6 (.170) from the arc and 10-15 from the line, while garnering 27 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 8 assists, 20 fouls, 15 turnovers, 6 steals and 4 blocks.
In its second game, Canada got clocked 75-52 by Cuba. The Canadians scored just 14 points in the first half. Cuba’s aggressive and physical play to start the game resulted in a 6-0 run, before a basket by forward Jordan Adams at the 6:40 mark gave Canada their first points of the game. Cuba shot nine-of-13 from the floor in the quarter to take a 23-7 lead at the end of the period. Montreal’s Amanda Brown scored Canada’s first four points of the second quarter. Halfway through the quarter, Canada switched to a zone defence in an attempt to slow down Cuba’s offensive attack, and it worked as Canada held Cuba off the scoreboard for the following three minutes, but were unable to score themselves.
A late offensive barrage by Cuba saw them extend their lead and take a 39-14 advantage into the second half of play. Canada rallied in the third quarter, sparked by two three-pointers by St. Foy, Quebec’s, Isabelle Grenier and Kitchener, Ontario’s Chelsea Aubrey. Canada played aggressively in the period, taking the ball inside and outscoring Cuba 23-15, reducing the Cuban lead to 17 points. Neither team held an advantage in play early in the fourth quarter. Adams and Fife Lake Saskatchewan native Sarah Crooks scored Canada’s first seven points to reduce Cuba’s lead to 14. However, Canada got into some foul trouble and Cuba took advantage, going on a 5-0 run and building their lead back up to 19 points. “We did not play our best game today,” said coach Allison McNeill. “With both Kim Smith and guard Teresa Gabriele (Kleindeinst) injured it slowed us down both offensively and defensively, and this made a significant impact on the way we can play. Cuba came out strong and played very well, but I am proud of the way we battled hard in the second half and came back.” Yamara Amargo Delgado paced Cuba with 16 on 8-10 from the floor and 5 assists. Yakelyn Plutin Tizon added 13 on 3-12 from the floor, 7-10 from the line and 5 boards. Yayma Boulet Peillon notched 13 on 6-7 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Taimy Fernandez Martinez added 9 on 2-2 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 2 boards. Suchitel Availa Cosanas added 9 on 2-3 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Clenia Noblet Salazar added 5 on 2-3 from the floor and 4 boards. Oyanaisy Gelis Gonzalez notched 5 on 3-4 from the line and 4 assists. Arlenys Romero Moinelo added 5 on 1-1 from the arc, while Ineidis Casanova Gonzalez, Yulizeny Soria Baro, Yamile Martinez Calderson and Yulianne Rodriguez Cruz were scoreless. Cuba shot 25-41 (.610) from the floor, 3-13 (.230) from the arc and 16-22 (.730) from the line, while garnering 28 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 14 fouls, 16 turnovers, 5 steals and 1 block. Tamara Tatham paced Canada with 13 on 5-8 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 3 boards. Amanda Brown added 10 on 4-7 from the floor, 2-3 from the line and 5 boards. Jordan Adams scored 8 on 4-7 from the floor. Kim Smith notched 6 on 3-8 from the floor and 4 boards. Uzoma Asagwara scored 4 on 2-2 from the floor. Isabelle Grenier scored 4 on 1-3 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 3 assists. Chelsea Aubry added 3, Sarah Crooks 3 and Devon Campbell 1, while Sheila Townsend, Teresa Gabriele and Lizanne Murphy were scoreless. Canada shot 19-49 (.390) from the floor, 2-8 from the arc and 8-13 (.620) from the line, while garnering 23 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 10 assists, 18 fouls, 17 turnovers, 2 steals and 1 block.
Canada closed out pool play and failed to qualify for the medal round after getting dusted 85-37 by the United States. The Americans opened with a 12-2 run before Canada elevated its defensive intensity and rallied with its own 11-3 run and finishing the first quarter down 17-13. The USA opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run en route to a 21-6 quarter that saw them take a 39-19 lead after the first half of play. Canada scored the first basket of the third quarter, when St. Foy Quebec’s Isabelle Grenier, corralled an offensive rebound for the put-back basket. This was followed by another run (9-0) by the Americans, helping propel them to a 34-point lead entering the final stanza. Canada’s poor shooting continued in the fourth quarter, allowing the USA to score the first seven points of the frame before Kitchener Ontario’s Chelsea Aubrey, nailed a pair of free throws for Canada. A late Canadian rally, led by Winnipeg’s Uzoma Asagwara in the last three minutes of play, came far too late as the USA went on to win the match by 48 points. “We played great in the first quarter, but when you are playing the number one team in the world, you can’t make the errors we made,” said coach Allison McNeill. “We had too many turnovers and missed shots; our lack of experience really showed today and the U.S. was able to exploit it with easy baskets. I’m happy with the way our team battled and we executed well but just didn’t make our shots.” Tina Thompson paced the United States with 14 on 5-9 from the floor, 4-4 from the line and 4 boards. Delisha Milton added 12 on 4-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 7 boards and 3 assists. Candace Parker added 12 on 5-8 from the floor, 2-3 from the line and 6 boards. Swintayla Cash notched 9 on 4-6 from the floor and 1-2 from the line. Rebekkah Brunson added 9 on 4-4 from the floor. Diana Taurasi notched 8 on 2-4 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 1-1 from the line, 4 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Seimone Augustus added 6 on 3-7 from the floor. Cappie Pondexter added 4 and Suzanne Bird 4 on 2-2 from the floor and 6 boards. Katherine Smith notched 4 on 2-8 from the floor, 4 boards and 4 assists. Kara Lawson scored 4, while Courtney Paris was scoreless. The United States shot 33-61 (.540) from the floor, 3-11 (.270) from the arc and 10-13 (.770) from the line, while garnering 43 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 23 assists, 14 fouls, 10 turnovers, 12 steals and 6 blocks. Teresa Gabriele paced Canada with 7 on 3-6 from the floor, 1-1 from the line, 2 boards and 2 assists. Chelsea Aubry added 6 on 1-3 from the floor, 4-6 from the line and 4 boards. Uzoma Asagwara added 6 on 1-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc and 1-3 from the line. Lizanne Murphy added 4, Sarah Crooks 4, along with 5 boards, and Isabelle Grenier 4. Jordan Adams notched 2, Tamara Tatham 2 and Sheila Townsend 2, along with 3 boards. Kim Smith was scoreless while nabbing 7 boards. Amanda Brown and Devon Campbell were scoreless. Canada shot 14-52 (.270) from the floor, 1-11 (.090) from the arc and 6-10 from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 7 assists, 16 fouls, 23 turnovers, 3 steals and 2 blocks.
Canada finished (1-2) in pool play and fell to the 5-8th classifications. Therein, Canada also failed to qualify for the Olympic repechage. In the tournament, the winning team qualified automatically for Beijing, while the teams finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th were invited to a 12-nation Olympic repechage in June-2008 to determine the final berths to the 2008 Summer Games.
In the 5-8th classifications, Canada defeated Mexico 77-38. Canada started the game strongly with back-to-back three-pointers from forward Jordan Adams and St. Foy Quebec’s Isabelle Grenier. Canada’s strong post presence forced Mexico to take a time out after the opening three minutes, resulting in the decision to move to a zone defence. Canada led 9-2 to open the game, finishing the quarter up 17-9. Canada continued its strong play in the second stanza, opening the period with an 8-2 run. Mexico responded by stepping up their defensive intensity, resulting in Canadian turnovers and 9-2, run to cut Canada’s lead to eight points. Canada called a quick time out to regroup, and scored the next 10 points to take a 38-20 lead into the lockers. Canada’s strong defence resulted in a 30-second violation on Mexico to start the second half. Canada ran a balanced attack, opening the quarter with a 13-0 run to increase its lead to 31 points midway through the quarter. Canada outscored Mexico by 18 points in the period. Canada continued to add to its lead in the final quarter, outscoring Mexico 15-10 to win by a final total of 39 points. “This was a good game to give everyone some playing experience,” said coach Allison McNeill. “Once again our defence was really strong. It was a tough game to play with Amanda Brown out with a concussion and the other injuries we have, but we battled above our circumstances to pull out the win today.” Tamara Tatham paced Canada with 13 on 5-7 from the floor, 3-5 from the arc and 6 boards. Lizanne Murphy added 12 on 3-3 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 3-6 from the line and 2 boards. Kim Smith notched 11 on 4-8 from the floor, 3-3 from the line and 6 boards. Chelsea Aubry scored 10 on 4-7 from the floor and 2-3 from the line. Jordan Adams scored 10 on 3-8 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-1 from the line, 6 boards and 2 steals. Sarah Crooks notched 9 on 2-4 from the floor, 5-6 from the line and 9 boards. Uzoma Asagwara scored 5 on 2-3 from the floor and 1-1 from the line. Isabelle Grenier added 3, Devon Campbell 2 and Sheila Townsend 2. Teresa Gabriele was scoreless, while nabbing 9 boards and dishing 4 assists. Amanda Brown did not play. Canada shot 24-43 (.560) from the floor, 3-16 (.190) from the arc and 20-29 (.690) from the line, while garnering 45 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 21 fouls, 24 turnovers, 13 steals and 1 block. Fernanda Gutierrez Torres Landa paced Mexico with 9 on 3-9 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 8 boards. Brisa Silva Rodriguez added 7 on 3-12 from the floor. Taine Ramirez Moralez added 4, Ana Renberia Bello 5, Sandra Sanchez Paz 5, Zazil Salman 3 and Paulina Moreno Ascencio 3, while Alejandra Delgado Robles, Pilar Vite Galindo, Jennifer Arriola Vocuvich, Claudia Careaga and Lourdes Machuca Mendez were scoreless. Mexico shot 14-46 (.300) from the floor, 1-9 (.110) from the arc and 7-15 (.470) from the line, while garnering 26 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 9 assists, 24 fouls, 25 turnovers, 9 steals and 2 blocks.
In the fifth-place match, Canada defeated Chile 86-68. Canada took control of its game against Chile early, playing solid defense while executing well on offence. Teresa Gabriele (Kleindienst) and Kim Smith, both from British Columbia, kicked off the game with three-pointers in the first two minutes of the quarter to give Canada a 6-2 advantage. Canada continued to build upon its lead, moving ahead 17-7 before Chile changed its zone defense; Canada went on to win the quarter 22-10. Chile kept shifting from a zone to man defense throughout the second quarter in an effort to contain Canada’s offensive attack. It did have some of its desired effect, as the teams exchanged baskets in a mostly back-and-forth affair. At the end of the quarter, Canada outscored Chile 20-19, to take a 42-29 halftime lead. Isabelle Grenier sparked Canada’s scoring in the third quarter, with a pair of three-pointers as the scoreboard showed 50-35 in favour of the Canucks at the six-minute mark. However, Chile responded with a 7-2 run, cutting into the Canadian lead before a late rally saw the red and white score the last eight points of the quarter. Canada went on a 7-0 run in the middle of the fourth quarter, earning its largest lead of the game (23 points). A pair of three pointers by Chile to finish the game resulted in Canada’s 18-point margin of victory. “We had a great overall defensive effort today despite having little time to prepare,” said coach Allison McNeill. “Chile runs good offensive sets, but I thought we were able to take away some of their offense with our strong defense. We also showed some good mental fortitude coming back from the losses earlier in the tournament.” Isabelle Grenier paced Canada with 17 on 1-2 from the floor, 5-9 from the arc and 2 boards. Kim Smith scored 15 on 1-4 from the floor, 2-2 from the arc, 7-8 from the line, 5 boards and 6 assists. Teresa Gabriele added 13 on 3-5 from the arc, 4-4 from the line, 4 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Jordan Adams added 11 on 4-7 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 6 boards. Sarah Crooks scored 10 on 3-4 from the floor, 4-6 from the line and 7 boards. Chelsea Aubry scored 7 on 3-6 from the floor and 3 boards. Lizanne Murphy added 6, Tamara Tatham 3, Sheila Townsend 2 and Devon Campbell 2, while Uzoma Asagwara and Amanda Brown were scoreless. Canada shot 15-31 (.310) from the floor, 11-22 from the arc and 23-29 (.790) from the line, while garnering 34 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 16 assists, 16 fouls, 13 turnovers, 5 steals and 1 block. Javiera Novion Castillo paced Chile with 17 on 4-8 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 6-7 from the line and 3 boards. Fabiola Pardo Torres added 16 on 4-7 from the arc and 4-5 from the line. Ziomara Morrison Jara notched 13 on 5-8 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 10 boards. Tatiana Gomez Kehsler added 8 on 6-8 from the line and 4 boards. Catalina De La Quinta added 4, Valentina Aragonese 4 and Paola Naranjo Postigo 4, while Massiel Mondaca Pizarro, Claudia Schobitz Troncoso, Romina Valenzuela Cerda, Catalina Lopez Grevert and Carolin Aguila Colipan were scoreless. Chile shot 23-37 (.350) from the floor, 7-17 (.410) from the arc and 21-26 (.810) from the line, while garnering 20 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 12 assists, 19 fouls, 14 turnovers, 7 steals and 1 block.