Their first game was against the European champions I think and therefore a tough start to the tournament.

A very good bounce back against Brazil. Let's hope they keep the flag flying high!

As covered in another thread, the Aussies lost to the Netherlands 62-70 (the Dutch today thrashed Spain to claim second spot in the group).

The next game was then effectively a knockout clash with Turkey and the girls prevailed 63-53.

Mangakahia, Brown (both 13 points), Panousis and Wehrung (both 10) led the way in a good drawing away victory.

They are currently playing Japan, who have top spot in the group, and are leading 42-34 at 1/2 time.

The girls beat Japan 100-66, inflicting their first loss. They shot 51%, although just 2/12 from 3p, and won the rebound count 61-31.

Alanna Smith had 15p, 7r and 9b! Keeey Froling had 13p and 6r while Alicia Froling had 12p and 5r.

It looks like theyve a 'Boomers' though, beating a good team in a dead rubber and still finishing fourth despite a 3-2 record. The USA awaits in the QFs, sadly.

if you look at the minutes played by japan looks like they played ther bench whole match most players with 25 plus min hardly got on in earlier games thats even if the got on at all

if you look at the minutes played by japan looks like they played ther bench whole match most players with 25 plus min hardly got on in earlier games thats even if the got on at all

Yes, Japan rested all of their top five for the whole game basically. This will not be an Australian team of the future. 8 players in there a politicals mainly from one state!!! Keeps somebody in there happy I suppose.

The U17s beat Italy comprehensively last night to claim fifth place, leading by five at 1/4 time, 13 at 1/2, 16 at 3/4 before winning 58-49.

Alicia Froling had 12p and 7r, guard Vanessa Panousis had 11p and 13r but shot just 4/18, while Louise Brown had 10p and 10r.

In their QF against the USA the girls were only down four at 1/2 time, losing 68-89 in the end. That was arguably the toughest game the US faced, as they led Spain by 14 at 1/4 time in the final before winning by 13.

The Aussies then avenged their earlier loss to the Netherlands 82-58 to set up the game against Italy for fifth.

Of course, had they done that the first time against the Dutch they prob would have been playing for a bronze, but that's the way things go.

While 5th with a 5-3 record isnt a bad result, chatting to someone at the tourny they said - just like the U19 team in 2011 - the Aussies were full of bigs with only some makeshift PGs. That's not exactly what our women's program needs.

Paul, I agree with your final comment.

Some of the biggest impact on the world stage has come from our guards. Picking mainly bigs is just going to reinforce to our smaller young players that they have no future in basketball, no matter how good they are.

"- the Aussies were full of bigs with only some makeshift PGs. That's not exactly what our women's program needs."

Judging from what was picked from the u16's nationals this has not changed, in fact in looked as size was the most(only) important factor.

The two No 1's did the job with the skill level required at the worlds. Take the two No 1's out and it is a no contest. Sorry but all the 2-5's are not up to scatch. Most players have made this team based on superior knowledge of offensive and defensive structure. When you coach structure to younger players too early they will win games but miss out on the required skills later on. Our 2-5's are great at fast breaks, rebounding and pressing but that is about it. That wins games at youth level only. The game against Italy was really a no contest and there were easy rebounds galore for the bigs. Better games games and competition are played at Aus nationals than this one.