15th Annual Douai U19 World Amateur Basketball Championships 2001

USA impressive win over Croatia

Anthony, Edelin, Williams leads sharp-shooting attack

6/3/01- Douai, France-  Camelo Anthony scorched Croatia for 20 points on 7 for 10 shooting from the field, including 1 for 1 from behind the 3-point line.   The USA defeated Croatia in impressive fashion 71-50.  Billy Edlin finished with 15 points on 7 for 10 shooting from the field.  And Shelden Williams was a perfect 4 for 4 from the field and finished with 10 points.

The USA played outstanding pressure defense and limited Croatia to just 26% shooting from the field.  No player from Croatia scored in double figures.

The USA seems to be getting stronger with each game.  "Billy is setting the tempo."  said coach Linzy Davis.  "He is making good things happen.  We are getting good ball movement, and we are setting pretty good screens for each other, which means we are getting the shots we want.  We are also playing outstanding position defense and it is helping our transistion game."

Craig Forth and Shawn Taylor have been solid for the USA.  "They are solid bigmen." said assistant coach Wil Robinson.  "They create match-up problems for opposing teams because they are very good defenders, and they are solid on offense." 

The USA is 2-0 in pool B, and have earned their first trip to the final four.  The USA will play Lithunia 1-0, for sole possesion of first, and a top seed in final 4.   The USA has never finished higher than fifth place in this prestigious tournament.  

USA runs past Lithunia

Joins Canada as Top seed in the final four

6/3/01- Douai, France- DeAngelo Alexander led the USA with 19 points, including 5 for 8 behind the 3-point line, to lead the USA to an 89-66 win over Lithunia.   The USA is 3-0, in first place in pool B, and getting stronger with each game.   Shelden Williams added 16 points, Jawad Williams had 15, and Corey Gibbs had 10.   Shawn Taylor was a force inside blocking three shots and scoring six points.

The USA has been successful with balanced team scoring and pressure half court defense.  The USA built a seven point lead seven minutes into the game and never looked back.

The USA are two games away from their first Douai World Championship.   The USA will face Argentina, who finished in second place in pool A to Canada 3-0.   Canada will play Lithunia.  If the USA and Canada meet in the finals, both teams will be undefeated going into the championship.  This could become a great story because Ro Russell assisted Linzy Davis, last year, as they combined USA and Canadian players, to play in the Douai World Championships 2000. 

Semi-final Results USA vs Argentina