2018 Under-17 Women's World Cup Day One Recap
The Under-17 World Cup is the youngest level international basketball tournament for women, and the latest edition is now underway in Belarus. Sixteen teams looked to start the tournament with the win, all of them hoping it would be the first step on their way to the title.
France vs Japan at the 2018 Under-17 Women's World Cup. Image: FIBA.com
Group B
Crashing the boards, Mali had the slight edge for three quarters over China, but flatlined with six minutes left in the game. China responded by ending the game with twelve unanswered points, which would win them the game by 69 points to 49. Yutong Liu led all scorers with 16 points off the bench, Mali’s Aminata Sangare and Sika Kone both had double-doubles, as did Zhou Ma for China in her team's win.
Despite 16 bench points from Giulia Natali, Italy were made easy work of by the USA, who were rampant in the arc and led from start to finish, by as many as 42 points, eventually winning 86-48.
Group C
New Zealand did well to pounce on loose balls, but could not convert that possession into points. Raquel Carrera Quintana had 17 points for Spain, whose shooting from the field, teamwork and forcing turnovers saw them dominate proceedings, eventually winning by 83 points to 48.
Argentina led Hungary 9-2 early on, but shooting 55% from the field, Hungary went on to lead by 20 points at half time. Florencia Chagas did her best to lead her team back, dishing 8 assists and scoring 15 points, but there was not let up from Hungary. Reka Dombai had a great game with 18 points off the bench, as her team finished victorious by 24 points.
Group D
Latvia hit back after being held to only four points in the first quarter against Canada, but there was only so much Laura Meldere’s 20 points and 11 rebounds could do for the Latvian team. With greater hustle from close range, Canada ran out comfortable winners in their opening game by 65 points to 51.
With 63 total rebounds, 42 points in the paint and a lead as high as 43, Australia outclassed Angola. Georgia Amoore led all scorers with 16 points, while her teammate Ashlee Hannan had 12 along with 9 rebounds for Australia, who start off their tournament with a 81-43 win over Angola.
Group A
Though they led for much of the first half, France found Japan hard to shake off. Japan kept up their offensive pressure and ended the third quarter with six unanswered points to lead by five. Behind an amazing performances from Iliana Rupert - 18 points and 16 rebounds - and Zoe Wadoux with three threes, as well as greater defence and shooting, France put up 20 in the final quarter to ensure victory, in the end by 60-53.
In the last game of day one, Colombia looked poised to upset hosts Belarus in their home opener. Colombia led by 15 early on behind an amazing 14 threes, but with the superior inside play Belarus narrowed the gap and put themselves in front just before the fourth quarter.
A three-pointer from Maria Alvarez Montes with seconds left sent the game into overtime, in which Belarus’s cool free-throw shooting would win them the game. They led 79-75 at the final buzzer.
Day one saw plenty of excitement and impressive opening performances, hopefully boding well for the rest of the tournament. For more, including news, features and full details on all the games, head to the official website of the Under-17 Women's World Cup.
