another close quarter in the fourth (14-10 USA) but those two big quarters (1st & 3rd) propel the USA to an 84-39 win over Hungary and into the finals vs France. Celeste had what was most likely a frustrating shooting game for her, going 0-3 from the field and 0-4 from the FT line. But she kept up the other parts of her game with six rebs, two blocks and one assist.
USA vs Hungary boxscore: http://www.fiba.basketball/world/u17women/2018/game/2807/Hungary-USA#tab=boxscore
Watching the Hungary vs Australia bronze medal game (19-17 at half) and easily picked out Karen Aston in the stands. I’m not sure if the current teams have high major prospects that she’s getting a look at. A couple of Hungarian players have intriguing skill sets and Australia produces more D1 players than any country outside the US.
End of the 1st: USA up 23-12. Celeste got 2 fouls in her first minute on the floor - the 2nd call was nonsense.
23-12 USA at the end of the first quarter. USA held France scoreless for five minutes while going on an 18-0 run. Celeste had a rough start in this game, getting two fouls within 20 seconds after being in for about one minute. France had a good finish to the quarter as USA did not score for the last two minutes while France hit for five pts.
End of half: USA 46-28. Due to foul trouble, Celeste only got about 3 minutes of play, 2 points (1/1) and a rebound.
46-28 USA at the half. USA equaled their first quarter scoring while France had two pts more than their scoring in the first but USA opened up their lead. Celeste scored on a layup. USA leading in rebs, 28-19. Only seven TOs for USA while forcing France into 11.
Celeste got roughed up this game. Got her head pinned to the ground by another player during one scramble for a loose ball and then took an elbow to the jaw in another. To add insult to injury, she got called for the foul. Her feistiness and motor make her fun to watch and easy to cheer for.
USA vs France boxscore: http://www.fiba.basketball/world/u17women/2018/game/2907/France-USA#tab=boxscore
USA U18 Women Warm Up With 72-42 Scrimmage Win Over Canada https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2018/07/wu18-scr-can.aspx
I just saw this thread thought I’d chip in. Being that I was not on the road second half of July because I agreed to help a friend as an assistant coach I was able to watch every second of whatever televised usa U17 games. I have a lot of thoughts about what I watched. I can give my opinions on who is Texas related to keep thread relevant which is only two kids one being Celeste other Zia I don’t think KA will land any of the other kids on this roster.
Zia Cooke- She is the perfect fit for Texas from what I saw she only got better as the games went on. I’m sure she was trying to adjust to her role on this team but once she did she was terrific. There were times where I would’ve preferred her to make the pass but at the college level she will be coached up to make some of those passes and when she does she will be even more dynamic. Has a great mid range with lift on her shot, played great on ball defense. Her uptempo style goes exactly with what at least from what I see KA runs . She will be a homerun if she lands in Austin. Celeste Taylor- My unsung hero award goes to her she sacrificed a whole lot to do what the team needed, from the outside looking in she seemed to embrace her role which makes her a great teammate but with that said she was only second to Fudd in 3pt % her overall numbers were close to the top for the team in every category this was with her playing less minutes than whoever was in front of her. Her defense might be the best I’ve seen any high schooler play to go along with her motor makes her special. I feel KA got herself a hard nose player who can score from anywhere, rebound with almost anyone will be the best defender in the Big12 and she will only get better.
