The Bay Area Phoenix Win Opener at Americas Tournament

Posted On September 28, 2024September 28, 2024

After weeks of preparation, the Bay Area Phoenix, representing the local WPBA, traveled to Medellin, Colombia to play three games in the club championship for teams from across the Americas. The top two teams after these games will advance to the final weekend of play in November, joining two teams that qualified in the other group. After announcing nine players, they added Emer Nichols, who played college basketball at Texas A&M and Florida, to bolster their frontcourt and then they were ready to start the event.

The team’s first opponent was the Delicia Pioneras, a team from Mexico’s regional leagues. The Phoenix took a lead early, but the Pioneras kept the game close throughout the first half. The Phoenix established control by the middle of the third quarter on their way to an 81-69 win. Aliyah Collier was the leading scorer with 24 points and Jazmine Jackson delivered 16 points off the bench. Ameela Li, the league MVP, had 11 points and a game high 6 assists.

Bay Area Phoenix [81]: Aliyah Collier 24 Jazmine Jackson 16 Ameela Li 11/6a Rebecca Harris 9/7r Kamilah Jackson 7/6r Danielle Robinson 6 Faatimah A 4 Aquira DeCosta 3 Mo Bennett 1 Emer Nichols 0
Delicias Pioneras [69]: Camila Suarez 15 A’Jah Davis 12/12r Daniela Soto 9 Waleska Perez 7 Jazmin Valenzuela 5/8r Adriana Romero 5 Perla Hernandez 5 Taiyier Parks 4/6r Paulina Rodrigez 3 Alexia Lagunas 3 Abdi Xicontencatl 1 Karla Hernandez 0

After their game concluded, the other two teams took the court to finish out Friday’s schedule. The hosts and defending champions Antioquia welcomed El Salvador’s Salvadorenas, which also participated last year, and the visitors lost 65-51. The Phoenix face Salvadorenas next at 3:30pm on Saturday and a win could qualify them for the next round if Antioquia defeats the Pioneras as well.