This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Day two of the first-ever FIBA 3×3 Youth World Championship saw both Canadian teams finish the preliminary round and enter into the playoff round, where Canada’s girls pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament, thus far.
The girls closed out preliminary play versus Russia. The two teams battled throughout the game and stayed within striking distance of one another, but Russia held on to edge Canada, 15-14. Paige Crozon (Humboldt, SK) led the way offensively for Canada with seven points.
With the loss, the girls went into the playoff round with the 14th seed and losing three in a row. They would play Russia in the opening game of the playoffs, who earned the third seed.
Much like the first game, the first half was played closely, with Russia taking a slim 7-5 after the first five minutes. Canada stormed out of the gates in the second half, out-scoring Russia 10-6, to hold on for the 15-13 upset. The win was the biggest upset of the day, led by a team-high seven points from Dakota Whyte (Ajax, ON). Crozon added four; while Isidora Purkovic (Calgary, AB) and Taijah Campbell (Ajax, ON) chipped in with two each.
With the win, the girls qualified for the quarter-finals, where they faced off against Spain (6th seed). Canada stayed close with Spain, only trailing 7-5 at halftime. However, Spain exploded for 11 points in the second half; while holding Canada to two, winning 18-7, ending Canada’s medal hopes.
The girls will now play Sweden tomorrow at 12:00 local time (6:00 am ET/3:00 am PT) in the classification round for fifth – eighth. Sweden comes into the game as the 10thseed.
On the boy’s side, Canada got off to a hot start, leading Romania 12-3 at halftime in their opener of day two. Marko Pirovic (Bolton, ON) had nine points and Dyshawn Pierre (Whitby, ON) had eight en route to a 19-12 victory.
The boys continued to stayed hot against Japan, who they were able to defeat 21-10. For the third time in the tournament for Canada, the game had to end when the boys scoring the maximum amount of points. Pirovic was the high man again with 11; while Pierre chipped in with eight.
In the boys’ last preliminary game of the tournament, they faced Germany. The high scoring pace continued for Canada, as they took a narrow 8-7 lead into halftime. Germany would stay close in the second half, but Canada would not be denied, and won 15-13. Pierre led the way with seven; while Pirovic had four. Jordan Whyte (Calgary, AB) had three; while Patrick Steeves (Montreal, QC) added one.
With the win, Canada’s boys finished preliminary play with a 6-2 record and entered the playoff round as the ninth seed. They would face-off against Tunisia in the knock-out stage, who carried the eighth seed.
The game was tightly played in the early going, but Canada’s momentum would push them through into the second half. Despite Tunisia’s efforts, Canada would hold on for the 17-11 victory, earning them a berth into the semi-finals. It is still to be determined who the boys will play tomorrow.
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