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July 25, 2005
TUNIS, Tunisia – Virginia sophomore point guard Sharneé Zoll (Marlboro, N.J.) and Team USA won the 2005 FIBA Women’s U19 World Championship Sunday night.
The squad, coached by Duke’s Gail Goestenkors, finished the tournament with a perfect 8-0 record after dismantling Serbia & Montenegro (4-4) 97-76 in the gold medal contest.
“This feels great,” remarked Goestenkors. “I’m so proud of the kids. They worked so hard and put it all together. We played great team basketball again. Our depth was factor, it has been all tournament long. Our rebounding was another factor, we were relentless on the boards.”
In the gold medal game, Zoll came off the bench for two points, two rebounds, and two assists in 12 minutes of action.
Formerly known as the FIBA Women’s Junior World Championship and held every four years since 1985, the USA’s capturing of gold in 2005 marks just the second time the American women have claimed gold in the six U19 World Championships. The U.S. now boasts of a 32-10 overall record and has captured two gold (2005, 1997) and one bronze medal (2001).
Statistically, the USA averaged 105.9 points a game, and won its eight games by a whopping average margin of victory of 46.3 points a game.
By winning all eight of its games, the U.S. became just the third team to emerge from the U19 World Championship undefeated and the first team to go 8-0. Of the 16 USA team records for the event, the 2005 squad shattered 10 of the previous marks, including most points (842); highest scoring average; most field goals made (340) and attempted (567); highest field goal percentage (.600); most free throws made (118) and attempted (183); most rebounds (355); and most assists (183). Of 14 USA single game marks, 11 were rewritten and two others tied. In the 2005 U19 World Championship overall statistics, the USA as a team finished ranked tops in 11 categories.
A 5-7 point guard, Zoll was named Virginia’s Rookie of the Year. The ACC Honorable Mention All-Freshman honoree also earned the Pre-Season Conditioning and Best Player in Practice Awards. Dishing out a freshman record 159 assists (formerly held by All-American Dawn Staley in 1989 with 144 assists), Zoll led the team in assists. She scored a career-high 20 points against No. 12 Minnesota in the NCAA second round. She also participated in the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival team the last two seasons.
For further information contact Craig Miller, Caroline Williams, Kate Lakin, or Danny Mattie at USA Basketball (719) 590-4800; or visit the USA Basketball website at: www.USABasketball.com.
2005 FIBA Women’s World Championship Results
Final Standings
1. USA 8-02. Serbia & Montenegro 4-43. China 6-24. Russia 5-35. Spain 5-36. South Korea 4-47. Australia 5-38. Hungary 3-59. Canada 3-410. Puerto Rico 2-511. Congo 1-612. Tunisia 0-7
Gold Medal Game:USA 97, Serbia & Montenegro 76
Bronze Medal Game:China 78, Russia 61
Fifth/Sixth Place Game:Spain 81, South Korea 75
7th/8th Place Game:Australia 68, Hungary 62