It was a big night for North American youth basketball, but Canada came up one podium step short of making it the best night ever.
The United States, with a dominant fourth quarter, defeated Canada 84-64 on Sunday to win its sixth title at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Leon, Mexico.
It was Canada’s inaugural appearance in the gold-medal final and its first podium finish at the event since 2012, when the squad collected bronze with an 84-77 victory over Japan in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Jerzy Robinson led the powerful champions with 25 points and seven rebounds, while teammate McKenna Woliczko chipped in with 19. The U.S. led 41-30 at halftime and 59-51 heading into the final quarter.
Savannah Swords scored a team-high 15 points for Canada, which only trailed by three points with four minutes left in the third quarter.
Deniya Prawl chipped in with 13 points and Agot Akol Makeer added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Canada, which slipped past Spain 77-73 in Saturday’s semifinal action. The U.S. advanced to the final with an 84-66 win over France in Saturday’s other semifinal.
The U.S. held an edge over Canada in shooting percentage (40.7 to 33.9), rebounds (58-41), offensive rebounds (24-12), defensive rebounds (34-29), points off turnovers (22-13) and points from the bench (24-22).
Canada led in steals (10-8) and blocks (8-3).
The two teams met in the 2023 FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship final last summer.
The Canadian Women’s U17 Soccer Team recently made history by earning a silver medal at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of these young athletes.
The tournament took place in India, and the Canadian team put on an impressive display of skill and determination throughout the competition. They faced tough competition from teams around the world, but they never backed down and fought until the very end.
One of the standout performances of the tournament came from forward Olivia Smith, who scored several crucial goals for the team. Her speed, agility, and precision on the field were a key factor in Canada’s success.
In addition to Smith’s stellar performance, the team as a whole demonstrated excellent teamwork and communication. Their ability to work together and support each other on the field was a major factor in their success.
The Canadian Women’s U17 Soccer Team’s silver medal finish is a significant achievement for women’s soccer in Canada. It showcases the talent and potential of young female athletes in the country and serves as inspiration for future generations of players.
This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and support staff who have helped the team reach this level of success. It is a proud moment for Canadian soccer and a reminder of the bright future that lies ahead for women’s soccer in the country.