The NetScouts Basketball USA Women’s All-Stars went undefeated at the recent “Four Nations” tournament in China. The team which represented the United States in the international competition finished the event 9-0 with three wins against the China national “B” team, the national team of Hungary and the Australian Rising Opals. The three wins against China were all close, with one overtime time and the wins by one point, three points and four points.
Aulani Sinclair of Indiana was named the MVP of the entire event and led the team in three-point field goals made. She was named the MVP of the first tour stop, PingXiang as she averaged 12.3 points and three rebounds with a high game of 22 points against Hungary. Sinclair was also on the All-Tournament team at the second stop, Chengdu, where she averaged 13 points and 2.7 rebounds.
Sinclair was joined on the All-Tournament team by former California players Alexis Gray-Lawson and Talia Caldwell. Gray-Lawson came on strong later in the tour. She was named MVP of the third stop, Changshu, where she averaged 11,5 points and five rebounds, leading the USA past China for the third time as she made a key late steal and score in overtime in scoring 16 points. Gray-Lawson was also named to the All-Tournament team in PingXinang where she averaged 11 points and 3.3 rebounds and scored 17 points against Hungary while hitting four late points in the USA’s one-point win over China. Caldwell was the most consistent center for the USA, averaging 8.9 points and 6.3 rebounds showing quick feet and jumping ability in helping the USA dominate the boards in their nine wins. She also was named to the All-Tournament team in PingXiang.
Other USA players who received All-Tournament team honors included:
Ex-Nevada player Tahnee Robinson who was named MVP of the Chengdu stop. Robinson came through with 15 points and seven rebounds in the USA’s second consecutive close win over China 75-72. She made the final free throw to provide the final margin of victory. In the three games in Chengdu, Robinson averaged 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds.
Aishah Sutherland of the Kansas Jayhawks joined Robinson on the All-Chengdu team. Sutherland made the key jumper to break the late tie and was the deciding shot in the USA’s win over China. She also grabbed 10 rebounds in the win over Hungary. Sutherland averaged 8.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in Chengdu.
Taleya Mayberry of Tulsa made the All-Tournament team at the last stop, Changshu, where she averaged 17 points in the last two games including scoring 20 points against Australia.
She was joined on the All-Changshu team by Iowa State’s Chelsea Poppens. The 6’2 forward had a double-double in the overtime win against China with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She averaged eight points and eight rebounds in the three games in Changshu.
Final Standings: USA (9-0), China (6-3), Australia (2-7) and Hungary (1-8).
This was truly a team win, with all 12 players sharing playing time and making it through a six-game in six-night schedule as well as oppressive heat in the first stop, PingXiang.
Overall Tournament Averages
Chelsea Hopkins, PG (San Diego State) 5.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Alexis Gray-Lawson, G (California) 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds
Aishah Sutherland, F (Kansas) 6.6 points, 6.6 rebounds
Taleya Mayberry, PG (Tulsa) 7.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists
China Crosby, PG (Virginia) 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Tahnee Robinson, G (Nevada) 7.2 points, 3.6 rebounds
Aulani Sinclair, F (Indiana) 10.8 points, 2.0 rebounds
Nikki Greene, C (Penn State) 4.8 points, 5.9 rebounds
Sarah Eichler, F (Green Bay) 2.6 points, 2.5 rebounds
Chelsea Poppens, F (Iowa State) 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds
Jessica Lawson, C (South Florida) 6.1 points, 5.4 rebounds
Talia Caldwell, C (California) 8.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists
