Teamwork. That single word sums up the USA's run for gold at the 2003 FIBA World Championship For Young Women as it was a total team effort that helped the USA Young Women's National Team strike gold with a 7-1 record in Sibenik, Croatia. The U.S. was coached by Ohio State University head coach Jim Foster, who now boasts a sterling 27-4 (.871) record as a USA Basketball head coach, and has been a part of five gold medal and one bronze medal winning coaching staffs.

2003 USA YOUNG WOMEN'S TEAM 2003 USA RESULTS (7-1) USA 56 France 48 USA 95 South Korea 46 Brazil 73 USA 60 USA 94 Czech Republic 46 USA 83 Croatia 58 USA 80 Australia 56 USA 58 France 47 USA 71 Brazil 55 2003 FIBA WORLD CHAMP. FOR YOUNG WOMEN FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (7-1) 7. China (3-5) 2. Brazil (6-2) 8. Latvia (5-3) 3. France (6-2) 9. Czech Rep. (3-4) 4. Croatia (3-5) 10. Argentina (2-5) 5. Australia (6-2) 11. South Korea (1-6) 6. Russia (4-4) 12. Tunisia (0-7)

Featuring young women's national teams (players 21 and younger) from 12 countries, the inaugural tournament was held July 25 - Aug. 3 and saw Brazil take the silver and France earn bronze after surpassing host Croatia in the fourth quarter for the 80-66 victory.

Seimone Augustus was tabbed as the MVP of the 2003 FIBA World Championship For Young Women and was listed on the All-World team. In addition to Augustus, Alana Beard and Christi Thomas were named to the 2003 All-FIBA World Championship For Young Women Team. France's Celine Dumerc and Brazil's Erika de Souza rounded out the five-member squad.

Opening with a 56-48 victory over France on July 25, the U.S., which held a 27-20 halftime advantage, was led by Beard's 13 points.

The U.S. received 61 points from its bench while earning a convincing 95-46 victory over South Korea on July 26. Leading the way for the USA were Kristen Mann with 16 points, Caity Matter pitched in 15 and Shawntinice Polk contributed 13.

The U.S. never got on track against a tough Brazilian squad and suffered its only setback on July 27, a 73-60 loss. Cappie Pondexter was the only U.S. player who scored in double digits with 12 points.

Putting on a defensive clinic, the Americans handed the Czech Republic a 94-46 loss on July 29. Receiving double-digit scoring efforts from five different players, including a game-high 12 points from Beard, the U.S. assured itself of a spot in the medal quarterfinals.

After holding a four-point, 40-36, lead at halftime, and with the help of 14 points apiece from Augustus and Ohlde, the United States advanced to the medal quarterfinals round after defeating host Croatia 83-58 on July 30.

Behind a balanced scoring attack that saw four players score in double digits, the U.S. advanced to the medal semifinals after ousting Australia 80-56 on Aug. 1 in quarterfinals play. Thomas checked in for a team high 13 points and seven rebounds.

Facing France on Aug. 2 for the right to advance to the gold medal game, the Americans fought their way to a 58-47 victory after Polk
contributed a game high 15 points.

In what was a battle to the end, the USA pulled out a 71-55 gold medal victory over its South American rivals Brazil on Aug. 3 as tournament MVP Augustus paced the U.S. to the gold with 18 points.

Owning a 44-30 halftime lead, the U.S. went on a 6-1 spurt to start the third quarter for its largest lead of the game, 50-31, at the 6:40 mark. However, Brazil went on a 16-4 run and with 1:38 remaining in the third quarter the USA's advantage had been shaved to 54-47. But by the end of three, the U.S. on top by 10 points, 59-49.

Tight defense on both ends kept the fourth quarter scoreless until Brazil hit two free throws at 6:52. Pondexter ended the USA's fourth quarter scoring drought with a 19-footer at 6:32 to up the score to 61-51. And with that, the U.S. was revived and went on a 10-4 run to put away the gold medal game.

2003 USA WORLD CHAMP. FOR YOUNG WOMEN TEAM ROSTER

2003 USA World Championship For Young Women Team
Cumulative Statistics