Canada Announce Squad for FIBA Under-19 Women's World Cup
More than a week before the Under-19 World Cup tips off in Thailand, Canada put an end to the preparations and begin focusing on their play in the tournament - which includes naming their final squad.
Led by Claire Meadows of the Saskatchewan Huskies, the twelve-woman World Cup team is an impressive and intriguing mix of players with wide-ranging levels of experience from across Canada, from Quebec to British Columbia.
Four of their more mature players are currently with NCAA teams: Niyah Becker of the Utah Utes; Taya Hanson of the Arizona State Sun Devils; Justina King of the Long Beach State 49ers; Christina Morra of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Roxanne Makolo plays at the same level for the Dawson College Blues in Montreal.
These five also represented Canada in last year's Under-18 Americas Championship, which qualified the team for the World Cup and where they won the silver medal.
The remaining seven players are still at school level, and for many this will be their first experience of international play. They are: Micha Dennis and Merissah Russell from the Capital Courts Academy in Ottawa; Faith Dut of Semiahmoo Secondary School, Surrey BC; Aaliyah Edwards from Crestwood Prep in Toronto; Yvonne Ejim from Bishop Carrol High School in Calgary; Brynn Masikewich of Lincoln Prep in Hamilton; and Sarah Te-Biasu from Niagara Prep, Ontario.
The experience and standard their college players have seen should give Canada big advantage in the tournament, while the younger players will be able to provide energy and to help fill in the gaps. With the majority of players over six foot, they should make them a highly physical unit able to play strong at close range.
Drawn into Group A, Canada will begin the tournament taking on Latvia on July 20th, followed by match-ups with Mozambique and hosts Thailand the following days. They will then enter a knockout round based on their record in the group.
In the previous edition of the World Cup, Canada topped their group and went undefeated until the semi-finals, where they lost 65-41 to Russia. They went on to defeat Japan by seven points in the bronze medal match, bringing home the first prize in their history. With a strong recent track record, they will be hoping to go one better this time around.
Check back here from July 20th to 27th for regular updates on Canada's progress in the Under-19 World Cup. More information can be found on the official website.
Picture: FIBA.com
