Laeticia Amihere powers Canada past France
The U19 Canada Women’s National Team stays perfect with a 54-45 victory over France at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Team Canada was led by 16-year-old phenom Laeticia Amihere, recording her first double-double of the tournament. Amihere had 12 points and eleven rebounds in 25 minutes of action.
TRC Academy forward Hailey Brown had a great performance, scoring a game high 17 points and hauling in eight rebounds.
This is the first time the Canadian women beat France since 2011 when they beat them 70-52 at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Game Recap
Despite going down in the first quarter, the girls had a much more positive start compared to the game against Korea. They came out with a lot more energy and focus.
Brown had it going early and did it all for Team Canada. She had five points, four rebounds and one steal in the first five minutes.
Brown had a very efficient game showing she can score in a variety of ways. She was able to finish at the basket and hit mid-range jumpers.
Amihere checked in midway through the first quarter and showed her incredible athletic ability right away.
The Mississauga, ON native used her athleticism to affect the game on both ends of the floor. She glides past defenders and finishes at a top level. Her presence affected France’s offence all game. Amihere recorded three blocks and altered many more.
One of Team Canada’s best shooters, Aislinn Konig did not have her best shooting day going 3/10. However, the Surrey, B.C. native made several key plays and shots.
With eight seconds to go in the first half, Konig drained a three to help give Canada a 26-21 lead.
Her underrated passing ability was on full display, dishing out eight dimes including a perfect pass to a cutting Amihere.
The Women’s National Team held their lead for the rest of the second half to secure the win and move to 2-0.
Canada put together another strong defensive performance, this time against a strong France team. France was held to 22% shooting from the field.
The women were once again dominant on the glass as they won the rebounding battle 60-40.
This game had the same story of improving free throws and making threes but it seems clear that this team is finding their identity early on. Forcing teams out of that paint and making them shoot from the outside has been the emphasis in the first two games.
Top Performers
Laeticia Amihere: 12 points | 11 rebounds | 3 blocks | 1 assist | 1 steal
Hailey Brown: 17 points | 8 rebounds | 1 assist | 1 steal
Aislinn Konig: 8 points | 8 assists | 3 rebounds
Alyssa Jerome: 8 points | 7 rebounds | 1 assist
Hanna Hall: 5 points | 3 rebounds | 3 assists | 2 steals
Up Next
All teams have the day off tomorrow and Team Canada will play Latvia in the final group game. The girls can lock up first place in the group with a win. The game is set for Tuesday, July 25 at 10:15 AM in Cividale del Friuli.
Latvia are 1-1 in the tournament after beating Korea 69-61 earlier today.
