Merida, Mexico - June 13-18, 2011

Much like the inaugural FIBA Americas U16 Championship in 2009, the USA dominated the competition and brought home gold in the 2011 zone qualifier. Led by head coach Jill Rankin Schneider (Monterey H.S./Lubbock, Texas), the 2011 USA Women went a perfect 5-0 in Merida, Mexico, winning by an average of 43.2 points per game.

Mercedes Russell started off the competition by tallying 21 points and setting USA U16 single-game records of 15 rebounds and five blocked shots to help lead the USA to a 71-54 win over Brazil on June 13. As a team, the red, white and blue set a single-game record of 58 rebounds, but the mark only lasted one night.

The following evening, the USA recorded 83 rebounds, including 41 offensive boards, en route to an 82-46 win over Argentina on June 14. As the USA’s leading scorer with 22 points and 11 rebounds, Rebecca Greenwell established USA U16 single-game highs for field goals attempted (21) and 3-pointers attempted (10).

The U.S. wrapped up pool play in style, recording an 82-point win over Venezuela, 114-32. The USA led from start to finish and established an assists record with 32. Recee’ Caldwell tied the individual assists mark with six, and five players finished in double-digit scoring for the USA, including Greenwell with 18 points; Stephanie Mavunga with 18 points; Jannah Tucker with 17 points; Jatarie White  with 14 points; and Taya Reimer with 10 points. A 3-0 preliminary round record put the USA at the top of Group B, earning a spot in the semifinals versus Puerto Rico.

The USA had no problem taking care of Puerto Rico, thanks in large part to a 23-0 run in the second period to take control of the game before cruising to a 99-51 win. The U.S. was led by 20 points and six rebounds from Greenwell, 16 points and eight rebounds from White and 14 points and 13 boards from Russell. The win matched the USA up with Brazil in the finals.

After taking an early lead and control of the game, the USA women remained undefeated and captured the gold medal with a dominating 73-40 win over Brazil. Eleven of 12 players scored for the USA, including four in double figures. Linnae Harper led the way with 12 points, five steals and four assists; followed by Tucker with 11 points five rebounds and five assists; Greenwell with 10 points and three assists; and Russell with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Along with Brazil and Canada, which topped Puerto Rico 53-36 to earn the bronze medal, the USA earned a qualifying berth into the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship.

Greenwell was named co-MVP of the tournament, an honor she shared with Brazil’s Izabella Frederico Sangalli.

All 12 players averaged at least 10.0 minutes per game, as six USA U16 competition records were broken. Greenwell set a record for points averaged (15.6), field goals made (62) and 3-pointers made (11). Additionally, Russell set new highs for rebounding (11.4) and blocked shots (4.0), and Harper owns the steals mark (3.4).

As a team, the USA established competition records for rebounds (322), rebounds averaged (64.4), blocked shots averaged (9.6) and steals averaged (17.4). All of the previous competition records were set in the inaugural FIBA Americas U16 Championship in 2009.

Since the FIBA Americas U16 Championship began in 2009, the USA has gone 10-0, winning back-to-back gold medals.

2011 USA WOMEN'S U16 NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER

2011 USA WOMEN'S U16 NATIONAL TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS