IRAPUATO (Mexico) – Mexico, playing at home in Irapuato’s Inforum, is in Group B of the Women’s Centrobasket Championship 2024, along with the Dominican Republic, the Virgin Islands, and Guatemala. The top two teams from this group will move on to the Semi-Finals and the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025. The hosts and the Dominican Republic finished second and fourth, respectively, in the 2022 tournament, and both have the potential to reach the top four again. However, the Virgin Islands, which didn’t compete in the previous tournament, claimed silver in 2021 and will bring plenty of talent to Mexico. There seems to be little separating these teams. Let’s look at the situation in Group B:
The Favorite: Mexico
Hosting the tournament puts Mexico in a favorable position. While some teams feel extra pressure playing at home, the Mexican team has shown that this isn’t an issue for them. Earlier this year, at the World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Mexico City, they performed at a high level, finishing fourth with victories over Mozambique and New Zealand.
The team from the World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament is expected to return for this tournament, maintaining a strong talent pool. However, head coach Lindsey Harding has since joined the Los Angeles Lakers' staff in the NBA. Her replacement, Mitchell Thompson, was previously an assistant, so continuity in the team’s playing style is anticipated.
The Underdog: Guatemala
Guatemala finished sixth in the 2022 Centrobasket with a win over Costa Rica and will be aiming to improve on that result. However, at this time, they seem to lack the resources needed to challenge the other three teams in the group. Their chances may increase in the Reclassification Phase.
In 2022, Sonia Vásquez was their standout player, but if selected, she would be competing at 41 years old. Players like Luisa Rivas, Gabriela Valecillo, Nathaly Pinelo, and Astrid García, who are also among the eligible players, are expected to step up and take on more responsibility.
The Pivotal Game: Virgin Islands vs. Dominican Republic
This matchup between the Caribbean teams could be critical in determining the group standings. The game will take place on Tuesday, November 5, in the opening round, and the winner will gain an early advantage. The contest between the Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic looks very balanced. The Dominican team has greater continuity with its current players and coaching staff, having recently competed in both the Centrobasket and the 2023 AmeriCup. Cesarina Capellán (11.3 PPG) has already proven herself ready to lead the team on the continental stage. She’ll be joined by veteran stars Yohanna Morton and Sugeiry Monsac, along with other players on the rise like Yenifer Jiménez, Génesis Evangelista, and Giocelis Reynoso.
The Virgin Islands, on the other hand, haven’t played since the 2021 Centrobasket, but in that tournament, they defeated the Dominican Republic. Despite not competing regularly, they bring talent with players like point guard Imani Tate, who stands out in the Spanish league, and center Anisha George, who has excelled in Greece. Other eligible players include Taylor Dominique Jones and players who are developing in American college basketball.
The Open Question: Does the Virgin Islands Have What It Takes to Return to the Continental Level?
They definitely have the talent. The big challenge will be achieving cohesion as a team in a very short time, and their first two games will be against the strongest rivals in the group, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, so the margin for error will be even smaller.
The Virgin Islands have not competed internationally in women’s basketball since 2021. Although three years is not a huge gap, it does create a noticeable difference in competitive experience compared to their opponents.
FIBA