Hola Montanans!
Our USA Team has been in Argentina for three days and I have had an amazing time. I am very excited to share my experience with you so far. I can't believe how quickly the tournament has come.
The team has been been working extremely hard and we have come a long way in the past couple of weeks. It seems like yesterday it was July 10, and I was boarding the plane from Missoula, not knowing what to expect during the upcoming weeks.
Our team arrived in Colorado Springs, Colo., two weeks ago, anxious to get started. We stayed at the Olympic Training Center for one week, and by the end of the first day we were ready to move out!
We had practice twice a day - each one was two and a half hours - consisting of shooting, drills, scrimmages, ice baths and, of course, conditioning!
Now, we didn't practice all day, we actually got to have some bonding time with our teammates and had a barbecue, movie night and a tour of the Olympic Center. I had the awesome opportunity to wear Dwayne Wade's and LeBron James' Olympic jerseys and shoes ... Sshh!
After one week of practice in the high altitude air, our team was ready to move on and make our way to Washington, D.C. Here we practiced on the Washington Wizards' court, where we caught a couple of WNBA games. I had never been to D.C. before, so it was a great new experience for me to share with my team.
Outside of practice we visited the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and many more of our country's historical sites. Being in the nation's capital really taught each one of us more about our history and it really hit us how honored we are to represent our wonderful country over in Argentina.
We will continue to wear the red, white and blue with pride and bring back the gold for all of you!
So until next time, go USA and take care!
Adios,
Jos
USA crushes Venezuela to open tournament
By the Missoulian
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Every player on the roster scored, six of them in double figures, as the U.S. Women's U18 National Team stormed past Venezuela on Wednesday.
Playing in the first game of FIBA America Championship tournament, Kelsey Bone and Lynetta Kizer each contributed 13 points in the winning effort.
Missoula's Joslyn Tinkle scored eight points in 15 minutes of play - going 4-for-5 from the free-throw line - while getting five steals, two blocks and three rebounds.
Roselis Silva led Venezuela with 20 points.
The Americans scored an astounding 78 points in the paint as they shot 60 percent from the field, compared to 26 percent for Venezuela.
Team USA plays Canada on Thursday in the round-robin tournament.
USA 112, Venezuela 49
VENEZUELA (49) - G. Blanco 2-9 4-4 8, Silva 7-12 4-5 20, Corrales 1-4 2-4 4, Inserny 0-3 2-4 0, Requena 0-3 2-4 2, Barragan 0-2 0-0 0, Leon 1-3 0-2 2, Pacheco 0-1 0-0 0, C. Blanco 3-10 1-2 7, Ilarraza 0-1 0-0 0, Bolivar 0-1 2-2 2, Cabrices 0-5 4-6 4. Totals 14-54 19-31 49.
USA (112) - Corral 3-7 0-1 6, Diggins 5-8 0-1 11, Stricklen 3-3 1-2 8, Ogwumike 6-8 0-1 12, Bone 4-9 5-6 13, Prahalis 3-6 3-4 9, Speed 5-7 0-0 10, Faris 2-4 0-0 4, Brewer 6-8 0-0 12, Kizer 4-5 5-7 13, Boothe 3-6 0-0 6, Tinkle 2-5 4-5 8. Totals 46-76 18-27 112.
Venezuela 10 16 10 13 - 49
USA 25 25 31 31 - 112
3-point goals - Venezuela 2- 14 (G. Blanco 0-3, Silva 2-5, Corrales 0-1, Inserny 0-2, Barragan 0-1, Pacheco 0-1, Bolivar 0-1), USA 2-8 (Corral 0-3, Diggins 1-2, Stricklen 1-1, Speed 0-1, Tinkle 0-1). Rebounds - Venezuela 27 (Leon 7), USA 44 (Brewer 9). Assists - Venezuela 9 (Blanco 3), USA 31 (Prahalis 7). Total fouls - Venezuela 16, USA 23.
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