After slicing through the competition in group play and the knockout rounds, the USA Basketball U16 girls team took down Canada 85-59 to win gold at the U16 Women's AmeriCup on Sunday night.
The Americans advanced to the 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Czechia.
The United States led 30-17 after the first period and boosted the lead to 51-29 at the half.
The only question seemed to be whether the United States could top the century mark for the sixth straight time, but Canada held the Americans to 13 points in the third period.
The United States beat Venezuela 113-52 to open the tournament, following with wins of 138-38 over Puerto Rico and 101-46 over Argentina in group play. That was followed by a 131-12 win over Panama in the quarterfinals and Mexico 112-50 in the semifinals.
They shattered several records, including largest margin of victory at 119 over Panama and most points in a quarter with 48 in the first quarter of the same game.
Steve Gomez of Lubbock Christian served as the head coach along with assistants Brittany Johnson of
Evanston (Ill.) and Krystle Johnson of
Hoover (Ala.).
USA Basketball U16 roster
Jazman Bailey,
Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas)5-9 | Guard | Class of 2027
Caroline Bradley,
Oak Grove (La.)6-5 | Center | Class of 2027
Reece Gilpatrick,
Broomfield (Colo.)6-4 | Forward | Class of 2028
Tati Griffin,
Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.)5-11 | Post | Class of 2028
Jordyn Haywood,
MICDS (St. Louis, Mo.)6-0 | Guard | Class of 2028
Olivia Jones,
Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.)6-0 | Guard | Class of 2027
Eve Long,
Olathe South (Olathe, Kan.)6-3 | Forward | Class of 2027
Micah Ojo,
Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Va.)6-0 | Small forward | Class of 2027
Morghan Reckley,
Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.)5-7 | Guard | Class of 2028
Arianna Robinson,
Plano East (Plano, Texas)5-10 | Guard | Class of 2028
Nation Williams,
Centennial (Las Vegas, Nev.)6-2 | Post | Class of 2027
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka,
Bullis (Potomac, Md.)6-2 | Forward | Class of 2027
