Belize battle United States, world’s top team, at FIBA U18 AmeriCup Tuesday in Argentina

Team Belize  – Photo Credit: FIBA

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: In just their first participation ever in a FIBA Under 18 Americas Cup, Belize are facing the world’s toughest team, the United States, at 2:40 pm (5:40 pm Argentina time) on Tuesday in Day Two of the hemispheric tournament at the Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Under the guidance of head coach Matthew Smiling and the leadership of captain and center Douglas Langford and power forward Josiah Moseley, Belize will endeavour to improve on their outstanding performance in Day One in which they took down the number three ranked team in the Americas and number 11 in the world, Brazil, in a thrilling 106-102 victory on Monday.

Moseley scored 31 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out two assists while Langford converted 28 points, pulled nine rebounds, and made two assists.

Elijah Favela, who closed the Brazil game with the final two free throws, totalled 14 points. Ian Parham also scored 14 points, Wilford Dawson chipped in ten, and Devin Moody added seven with seven rebounds.

Belize will have to play a superb game against the Americans, who cruised to an 88-66 victory over hosts Argentina 88-66 on Monday.

On Monday, Belize played a fabulous running game against Brazil but were outrebounded 59 to 41.

Langford said Belize needs to play a similar game against the United States on Tuesday but added that they need to improve their defensive game.

“We got to improve on defense a little bit. We had some mishaps. Mostly defense. We’ve got to fix that and I think we’ll be ok for a good little fight.”

Belize, who depended on their transition game against the Brazilians, will have to guard against Darius Acuff Jr., who led the USA with 22 points, five boards, and three assists against Argentina. They also have to contend with Christopher Brown, who netted 15 points, and Derron Reid, who was good for ten against the South Americans, and Daniel Jacobsen, who scored nine points, grabbed ten rebounds, and made five blocks.

Later today, in the other Group B game, hosts Argentina take on the United States at 5:10 pm (8:10 pm Argentina time) on Monday.

In Group A, Centrobasket subchampions Canada whipped Centrobasket champions Puerto Rico 93-54 in Tuesday’s opener. The Dominican Republic were leading Venezuela in the second game.

Belize will close group play against Argentina on Wednesday, June 5, at 5:10 pm (8:10 pm Argentina time).

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