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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(UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No. | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 11 | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 52 | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 5 | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | |
| Senior | 8 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; Z — Stanford transfer
Former players who entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | Clemson |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 | BYU |
Photo, videos courtesy of FIBA
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