Taiwanese U18 women's basketball team reaches historic first championship final

Taiwan's U18 women's basketball team has made history by reaching the championship game of the ISF World School Championship for the first time. The team secured their historic spot by decisively defeating Turkey with a 55-point margin in the semifinals.

Led by Zhang Yutong, who scored a game-high 23 points in the semifinal, Taiwan dominated Turkey with a final score of 87:32. Xu Yushan also contributed significantly with 14 points. This victory marks a significant milestone for Taiwanese school basketball on the international stage.

The team, coached by Li Tai-ying of Yangming High School and assisted by Luo Yan-ping of Beiyi Girls High School, has showcased exceptional teamwork and offensive prowess throughout the tournament. They began with two consecutive wins in the group stage, securing the top spot. In the round of 16, they defeated the Czech Republic 104:37, followed by an 81:59 victory over the United States in the quarterfinals.

Taiwan's previous best performance in the ISF championship was fourth place in 2019. This year, their strong chemistry and hot shooting have propelled them through the bracket, setting up a highly anticipated final against a formidable opponent.

The championship game is scheduled for early morning on June 22nd, Taiwan time. The team will face China, aiming to clinch their first ISF world title. The tournament is being held in Zlatibor, Serbia.