2018 Under-17 Women's World Cup Day Seven Recap
After a week of the highest quality play, the teen titans of women's world basketball all took to the courts in Minsk one last time to each secure their best possible finishing position, with the day building up to the main event, the title game of the tournament.
USA vs France in the 2018 Under-17 Women's World Cup Final. Image: FIBA.com
Placement Games
After much disappointment at home, Belarus got compensation by securing fifteenth-place with a final 70-58 win over Angola, while Argentina won the close South American encounter with Colombia by four points - as well as thirteenth place overall. Their own Florencia Chagas recording a double-double of 13 points and rebounds in the game.
Against China, Charlisse Trinity Leger-Walker was the stand out with 23 points and 11 rebounds for New Zealand, but leading in all other areas, China won the game and eleventh place overall. China had thirteen threes in their final game, five of which came from Wenping Sui as part of her 19 points off the bench.
Mali’s offence was threatening, but Canada contained them with tough defence and played better offensively. With 22 points and 16 rebounds, Mali’s Sika Kone underlined why she has been one of the biggest performers of the tournament, but it was Canada who bagged ninth place with a 58-50 win.
Latvia’s Laura Meldere bowed out of the tournament with 15 points and 18 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome rampant offence from Japan, who won seventh place with a 75-57 win. Trailing for much of the way, meanwhile, Spain looked to take control of the fifth-place play-off, but Italy played the better defensive game and quick and effective offence, helping them to the win over their continental rivals, 65 to 58.
In the game for the bronze medal, Australia led by six points in the first half, but just after half time Hungary took the lead with eight unanswered points. It became a one-possession game down the stretch, and though Hungary tried to keep their noses in front, Australia ended the game with a run of six points and held Hungary scoreless to put themselves on the podium. The final score was 57-51 in their favour.
Final
This 2018 final was a repeat of the final of the very first edition of the Under-17 World Cup, won by the USA. Having never made it this far since, France were looking to mark the occasion, while the USA went into this one looking to capitalise on their tournament record so far and to atone for the shortcomings of the 2016 edition.
USA in the final were as dominant as they had been throughout the rest of the tournament. Completely shutting out France on defence - they had an amazing ten blocks and 37 defensive rebounds - they maintained a big lead for almost the entirety of the game. Aliyah Boston was the top performer with 16 points and 8 total boards, and shooting 59.6% from the field, the USA ended the tournament with a 92-40 routing of France and took their well-earned 2018 Under-17 World Cup title.
Dominant throughout the seven days, USA were worthy champions of an exceptional field of competitors this year. The final tournament standings are as follows:
Champions: USA
Runners-up: France
Third Place: Australia
4th Place: Hungary
5th: Italy
6th: Spain
7th: Japan
8th: Latvia
9th: Canada
10th: Mali
11th: China
12th: New Zealand
13th: Argentina
14th: Colombia
15th: Belarus
16th: Angola
For more, including full statistics and features on every game today and throughout the tournament, visit the official website of the 2018 Under-17 Women's World Cup.
