Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

Quote: http://www.sportsfeatures.com/index.php?section=pp&action=show&id=43064

Sept. 26, 2007
USA Women Overcome Shooting Woes, Strong Cuban Team For 85-79 Opening Victory
In a back and forth battle for most of the evening, the USA Basketball Women’s Senior National Team (1-0) needed all four quarters to finish with an 85-79 victory over Cuba (0-1) to open play at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship on Wednesday afternoon in Valdivia, Chile. Candace Parker (University of Tennessee) scored a team-high 21 points, Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) contributed 16, while Katie Smith (Detroit Shock) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) each notched 13 points. Sue Bird (Seattle Storm) had a hand in many of those points after dishing out nine assists.

PAkid103 · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:26 am Post subject:

I'm kind of suprised the U.S. had such a hard time against Cuba, even though they are a good team.

Today's game vs. Jamaica is looking a lot better though.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

methinks it has more to do with the USA players becoming a TEAM. The best stars of many teams have only been practicing together since arriving in Chile. This is a very different group of women than in the past.

If anyone can pull a team together, Dee is a proven factor. I think she'll emerge as the motivating emotional leader for team USA. She's not the rookie following her idol's footsteps any more. Bird will become "floor" general (following in Staley's footsteps).

PAkid103 · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:46 pm Post subject:

At least they won in convincing fasion today, putting a stomping on Jamaica 115-47.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

USA 115 - Jamaica 47

21 steals
Tina Thompson 18 pts
methinks that answers all questions - USA will prevail

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

^it answers nothing, Jamaica sucks.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

yes they suck but. . . .
Team USA could have slouched through the game but chose to bring their A game - shows tenacity & perseverance.

Thought I heard its their 1st team. Would have been much more fun to watch if Sophia Young had chosen to play for her national team.

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

I think Young is from the Bahamas. I was glad we pounded them, we need to remember to bring our A game all the time. Maybe they can remember the world championships and not let up.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

Jamaica - Bahamas - Virgin Islands (not so sure) :roll: :?
I reeaallly need to brush up on my geography (my hearing too)

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1043 Location: Phoenix AZ

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/mercury/articles/0930sptbriefs1001.html

Quote: Taurasi helps U.S. earn Olympic berth
Wire services
Oct. 1, 2007 12:28 AM

The U.S. women's basketball team took a rarely used route to get back to the Olympics.

Tina Thompson scored 18 points to help the U.S. qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games with a 101-71 victory over Cuba on Sunday in the gold-medal game at the FIBA Americas tournament in Valdivia, Chile.

"It feels great to win. We got the monkey off our back," Thompson said.

The U.S. (5-0) was forced to qualify for an Olympics berth for the first time since 1980 because of a third-place finish at the World Championships last year.

Mercury star Diana Taurasi hit two three-pointers during a fourth-quarter rally and finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

A double double for Dee (not assists!). She said Westhead took her game to the next level & made her a better player. I'm a believer - the pizzazz she had in college is back also.