By R.L. Bynum

Argentina was helpless to stop the United States and a gritty effort from future Tar Heel Lanie Grant.

The five-star Carolina commitment in the Class of 2025 scored more than a point a minute as the Americans coasted into the championship game of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, with a 112–48 semifinal victory over Argentina for their 23rd consecutive win in the competition.

Grant finished with 20 points in 18½ minutes and sat out the last 7:46 of the blowout.

The Americans (5–0) play at 10 p.m. Monday against Canada (5–0), which beat Puerto Rico 77–49 in the other semifinal. The U.S., 41–1 in the event, seeks its fourth consecutive gold medal.

Grant, who had 15 points by halftime and 20 by the end of the third quarter, made 6 of 9 shots, 3 of 6 from 3-point range and all five free-throw attempts while dishing out three assists and swiping a steal.

McKenna Woliczko led the U.S. with 24 points and 13 rebounds, marking the first time two American players have scored 20 or more points in a game since Asia Durr had 26 points and Katie Lou Samuelson had 24 points in 2013.

The United States dominated rebounding 56–29 and inside points 66–18, and has scored at least 60 inside points in three of its five games.

The U.S. reeled off a 30–8 run to lead 39–17 lead after the first quarter after the game was tied at nine early.

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Potential UNC 2024–25 roster

Year	No.		Players	Pos.	Height
Freshman	—		Lanie Grant (5 star)	PG	5–10
Freshman	—		Blanca Thomas (5 star)	C	6–5
Freshman	—		Jordan Zubich (4 star)	G	5–11
RS Freshman	21		Ciera Toomey	F	6–4
RS Freshman	4		Laila Hull	W	6–1
Sophomore	10		Reniya Kelly	PG	5–7
Sophomore	15		Sydney Barker	PG	5–6
RS Junior	11		Kayla McPherson	PG	5–8
Junior	24		Indya Nivar	G	5–10
Senior	5		Maria Gakdeng	C	6–3
Graduate	—		Grace Townsend	G	5–5
Graduate	20		Lexi Donarski	G	6–0
Graduate	1		Alyssa Ustby	F	6–1

2023–24 UNC players to enter transfer portal

Class	Player	Date entered	Pos.	Hgt	Next school
Junior	Paulina Paris	March 26	G	5–9	Arizona
Graduate	Ali Zelaya	April 1	F	6–4	UNCW
Graduate	Anya Poole	April 1	F	6–2	TBA
RS junior	Teonni Key	April 2	F	6–4	Kentucky
Sophomore	RyLee Grays	April 5	F	6–3	TBA
Graduate	Deja Kelly	April 8	G	5–8	TBA

Photo, videos courtesy of FIBA