Prior to the shoot-around, the team took a little walk around town this morning through the street markets. There was quite the assortment of goods and, of course, the team did a little shopping . I’m sure the girls will have lots of interesting photos and tales of some of the interesting things they came across, so we will have to get some photos to share shortly.
But today is all about Game Day. 1st Game. And of course, against the host team China. We headed down to shoot-around here at 12:30pm local time, to prepare for the 7pm tip-off at Nan’an Arena.
The NetScouts Basketball USA Women’s All-Stars defeated China 57-56 as a last second three-point attempt by China sailed wide. The USA led by as many as 15 points in the 2nd half but had to hold on as host China came back and eventually took the lead. The USA answered with a Jamie Russell (Illinois St.) bucket and held on for the win.
China had taken the lead prior to Russell’s basket, which gave the USA the lead with 1:50 remaining. The USA then cranked up their defense, getting three final stops to end the game.
China started their comeback by scoring the last five points of the first half to cut the 15-point USA lead to 10. The USA came out for the third quarter and missed four lay-ups while China scored on three of their first four possessions to get right back into the game.
As usual, the games against China are serious “away” games and we get no favors from the referees. The USA was called for 20 fouls against only 10 for the Chinese. China was 11-of-20 on free throws vs. 5-of-6 for the USA. We were not in the bonus for the entire game.
The USA forced 17 turnovers and out-rebounded China 41-36. We got our transition game going in the first half but then had to battle serious foul trouble. Morgan Johnson (Iowa) and Sam Ostarello (Purdue) had three each at the half and each picked up their fourth foul early in the 4th quarter.
Our guards rebounded especially well, with 22 rebounds from the four guards. Jacqui Kalin led the group and team with seven boards. The USA struggled to score in second half with only 19 total second half points. We only shot 32% for the game, including 24% (6-of-25) on three-pointers. The game was won with defense and rebounding. Lauren Oosdyke, Samantha Heck, Stephanie Sension and Meghan Fulps all made important defensive plays for us. Jamie Russell led the USA with 11 points as we had very balanced scoring.
Overall, it was a good start to the tournament, with just two practices under the belt the team will look to tighten things up both offensively and defensively in the days to come!! We will face Australia tomorrow night in the late game of the day. The Aussies beat Brazil by 14 in a physical fast paced game.
NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars Head Coach Chris Denker
“For the first game, after only 2 practices and having never played together or under FIBA rules, I thought the team did a nice job. They really played as a team, shared the ball…almost too unselfish at times but that’s a good problem to have. We really got big stops late when we needed them to seal the win.”
Statistics
Meghan Fulps 5’7 PG (Santa Clara) 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Jacqui Kalin 5’8 PG (Northern Iowa) 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
Jamie Russell 5’8 G (Illinois State) 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists
Adrian Ritchie 5’11 G (Green Bay) 8 points (2-of-6 3’s), 6 rebounds, 2 steals
Lauren Oosdyke 5’11 F (Northern Colorado) 2 points, 2 rebounds, 4 steals
Kate Thompson 6’4 F (Michigan) 6 points (2-of-5 on 3’s)
Sam Ostarello 6’2 F (Purdue) 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
Samantha Heck 6’2 F/C (Evansville) 5 points, 3 rebounds
Stephanie Sension 6’3 F/C (Green Bay) 7 points, 4 rebounds
Morgan Johnson 6’5 C (Iowa) 6 points, 5 rebounds
Related Articles
China Tour Overview with roster, schedule and itinerary
Enjoy keeping up with your games. Good luck. Big fan of Sam Ostarello.
Dennis Eisnach
Thanks Dennis. Big game vs. Australia next!
Carl Berman
Great blog…big fans of Univ of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s team and so happy to have Adrian and Stephanie on this year’s team….and thanks for the updates. Fun to follow along!! And yeah for the U.S.A. win today….
was fun to read about their autograph session, etc…thanks for the updates!
Kathy Anderson
Thanks Kathy! These trips are always interesting and fun to keep up with. Cheers!
Carl Berman
I am Samantha Heck’s aunt and I am excited to follow your postings. Thank you.
Donna Bailey
Hi Donna no problem. If you would like to get on our email list just let me know. We have a lot of photos and can’t post them all!
Carl Berman
I am another aunt of Sam Heck’s and would like to receive all the pictures that you are not able to post here.
You make the articles so interesting, keep up the good work.
Thanks
Leona Stice
Thanks Leona. We’ve got you on the list.
Carl Berman
Keep up the good work. We love reading about our dear Samantha Heck and her entire team!!!!
Larry & Nancy Tague Platz
Thanks. If you’d like to get on my email list just let me know. We have a lot of photos we can send you guys.
Carl Berman
Uncle Larry & Aunt Nancy to Samantha Heck love this blog and all the cool info and pix,,,keep up the good work!!!
Larry & Nancy Tague Platz
Gostei de ver a sua analise do jogo dos EUA x China.
Sou fã do basquete americano e por ter uma filha no basquete feminino acompanho sempre que posso.
Gostaria de saber se você poderia fazer o favor de comentar o jogo do Brasil x China ou mostrar o caminho para aqui do Brasil, consegui o link da televisão chinesa.
Obrigado pela atenção.
Fernando
Obrigado pela nota. Vamos tentar obter mais cobertura do outro jogo que é jogado a cada dia. Às vezes isso é difícil para nós, pois pode estar se preparando para o nosso jogo, mas, vamos ver o que podemos fazer. Aliás, nós pode hospedar um acampamento em Bazil fora de São Paulo neste verão ou no próximo. Felicidades!
Carl Berman
Thanks for reading what I wrote yesterday.
I’m happy to be getting information about this tournament through your blog.
You will play tomorrow against Brazil
My daughter is on the team’s playmaker Carolina Ribeiro Brazil.
If you can say hi to her for me.
I’ll be following your blog.
As I said I love to follow women’s basketball.
Thank you and good luck.
Fernando.
Brazil
Fernando
Hi Fernando, We’ll be including some coverage of each game that the NetScouts Basketball USA team is not playing. I’ll put you on our email list and can also forward you some photos if you like. Good luck to your daughter, I’m sure he’s having a great time. If you know anyone else that would like to receive emails of our coverage please let me know or have them contact me at carl@netscoutsbasketball.com. Cheers!
Carl Berman
Excellent work!!
Susan Sension
Thanks Susan!
Carl Berman
Hello
I’m Sam Ostarello’s Mom. Love to see pictures. My e-mail is lenise@mncomm.com.
Thanks for the updates
Lenise Haag
Hi Lenise. I’ve added you to the email list and will forward you the photos. Cheers!
Carl Berman
Thank you for the updates. Meg has been texting and telling me of the awesome time she is having. She loves her team and her coach! What an amazing experience!!
Blessings,
Marlene Fulps
Marlene Fulps
Thanks Marlene, All the ladies seem to be having a great time!
Carl Berman
We would like to be on your email list to get pictures. We are loving the blog!! Samantha is my baby sister! Good job Sammy! Luv u!
My email is tonyahamlin4@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
Tonya
Hi Tonya, I’ve got you on the list. Cheers!
Carl Berman
boa tarde, agradecemos suas notícias sobre o torneio da sub 19 na China, minha filha faz parte da seleção brasileira – Carla Lucchini 6, ficamos felizes com as notícias!!!!
Maria Aparecida
Obrigado Maria, nós tentaremos mantê-lo atualizado durante toda a viagem. Felicidades!
Carl Berman