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Sports

Howard Rejoins USA Team for World Championships

Twinsburg standout back on roster as U.S. pursues U19 title at FIBA event

More than a few people raised eyebrows when Twinsburg's Malina Howard did not make the final cut for the United States U-19 team for the FIBA World Championships this summer.

After all, Howard was a key component of last year's U.S. club that captured the U18 World Championships. Not to mention leading Twinsburg to an unbeaten season and a state championship.

The 6-5 All-American was ready to play for her Sports City U AAU team this summer until she got the call from the U.S. team, which needed a replacement for Imani Stafford of Los Angeles, Ca. Just like that Howard was back on the international basketball scene, making a quick trip to Colorado Springs before the team departed for the world tournament in Chile.

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"I had known I was an alternate so I knew there was a possibility I could still play," said Howard. "I was upset about having to leave my AAU team but this is such a great experience so I am excited to be here and be with the team and the same coaches as last year. This will be a fun time."

The United States is well on its way to a shot at the FIBA World Championship after the first round of three games this week. The team got past Japan 85-63, downed Russia 76-53 and overwhelmed Argentina 83-49 in first round action.

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The second round of games will be held Monday through Wednesday with quarterfinals on Friday, semifinals on Saturday and the championship game slated for Sunday.

In the opener against Japan, Howard picked up where she left off in the state tournament as she scored 12 points, making all six of her field goal attempts from the floor in just 16 minutes of action.

Early foul troubled plagued Howard in the victory over Russia and she finished with just one point in 14 minutes of play. She bounced back against Argentina, connecting on four of six shots for eight points and pulling down three rebounds.

Howard is one of the most highly recruited players in the nation and has been rumored to be thinking of such top schools as Tennessee, Maryland and Rutgers. Her current focus is on the FIBA World Championship trophy.

Getting playing time in the first game of the tournament was big for Howard, who had little time to prepare after getting the late call from the U.S. team.

"It was a lot of fun," she said. "It was better than playing against each other (in practice) and it was a lot of fun to come together as a team."

During last year's U18 World Championships, Howard helped lead the United States to the top spot as she averaged over 60 percent shooting from the floor, scoring 6.8 points and grabbing 5.8 rebounds per contest.

Twinsburg's career leading scorer (1,377 points) will hold several school records by the completion of her senior season. For now, Howard has her sights set on another international title.

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