medal match of the FIBA Americas U16 Championships – at stake a berth
to 2010 World Championships. The Canadians dominated over Team
Venezuela winning easily 106-81. Basketball Manitoba's High Performance Coach Kirby Schepp is a member of the coaching staff of the National Cadet squad.
Canada’s captain, point guard Kevin Pangos (Holland Landing, ON) took control of the game, leading all scorers with 28 points. Once again, Jonathan Alexander-Guillaume (Toronto) was strong on both ends of the court, racking up a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards and Nick Lewis (Scarborough, Ont.) added 14 points.
While Venezuela’s Edyn Lugo and Israel de Jesus Key both contributed 17 points, and Michael Gamboa, collected a double-double with 16 points 12 rebounds, Canada maintained control of the entire game from the first quarter, leading 23-10.
In the second, Venezuela managed to adjust their offense in an effort to cut the lead. At the end of the period, Venezuela had racked up 21 points to Canada’s 19, but the red & white still maintained the lead at the half 42-31.
The third period saw much of the same as Canada continued to put on a shooting show while protecting their basket. The Venezuelans were better on offense than in the first half scoring 23 points, but Canada answered with 29 including some clutch three point shots.
Venezuela had its best quarter in the fourth, collecting 29 points. But team Canada was just too dominant scoring a total of 33 in the fourth to take away the win 106-81. The winning formula for the red & white was excellent shooting as Canada was 48% from the three-point line vs. 29% for team Venezuela.
With this win, Canada now qualifies to compete in the first ever FIBA U17 World Championships taking place next summer in Germany. Joining Canada from the Americas zone will be gold medalist team USA, and silver medalist, Argentina.
On the tournament leaderboard, Canada’s Negus Webster-Chan led all players in three-points, averaging 47.1%. Teammate Pangos led in free throw shooting averaging 89.7%, and was second in assists (19) and steals (16) and three points made (10).
In other games Sunday:
USA defeated host Argentina to win the gold medal game 101-87. The Americans had three players with 20+ points in the game including Bradley Beal (26 pts.), Quinn Cook (22) and James McAdoo (20 pts. 12 rebs.). Luciano Massarelli and Thomas Zanzotera led Argentina with 18 and 17 points respectively. But the team struggled on the boards collecting only 26 rebounds to USA’s 57. USA took the gold, while host Argentina had to settle for silver.
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Brazil beat Puerto Rico 82-79 in the final day of competition to come in fifth place. Brazil’s Leonardo Miendl led all scorers with 26 points, while teammate Igor Avelino added 18 points and 8 boards. Carmelo Carbonell was once again a big contributor for Puerto Rico, scoring 24 points followed by Gary Ramirez who scored 21. After a big second quarter deficit Puerto Rico came out strong in the second half, but Brazil was able to maintain the lead and take the win.
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Bahamas managed to win a game on the last day of the tournament, beating Mexico 87-83. After a tie in the first quarter, Bahamas pulled away in the second to finish the half 42-33. It was neck and neck in the third, and Bahamas ran out of steam in the fourth but managed to hold on for the win. Bahamas’ Wanaah Bail was strong throughout the game, collecting 30 points and 18 rebounds. Garth Brown Jr. added 23.
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For complete box scores and standings from the FIBA Americas U16 Championships visit www.fibaamericas.com.
(with information from FIBA Americas & Canada Basketball)