High schoolers graduate to Canadian women's team

Last Updated: Monday, September 3, 2001 | 8:50 PM ET

CBC Sports

Two high-school players have cracked the roster for the Canadian women's basketball team's upcoming world championship qualifier.

Guard/forward Kim Smith of Mission, B.C., and centre Carolyn Ganes of Saskatoon, both 17 and entering Grade 12 this fall, were named to the squad Monday along with seven veterans from the Olympic team that finished 10th in Sydney last year.

The Canadian team must finish third or better in the COPABA Tournament of the Americas starting Sept. 11 in San Luis, Brazil to qualify for next year's world championship in China.

Tammy Sutton-Brown of the WNBA Sting hails from Markham, Ont.(AP Photo)

Also named to the squad was centre Tammy Sutton-Brown of Markham, Ont., whose Charlotte Sting fell to the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA championship on Saturday.

"I am very excited to see the young athletes ready to step up on the international basketball stage," said head coach Bev Smith in a statement.

"Four of these athletes played on teams that competed at the Francophonie Games earlier this summer. But our veterans have seen incredible success individually since Sydney as well.

"I believe we have a great mix of athletes and we should be able to get the job done in Brazil."

Canada opens against Chile on Sept. 11 and faces Cuba the following day in round robin play.

Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are in the other pool.

The teams that finish in first and second place of each pool meet the two teams from the other group in playoffs.

The gold and bronze medal games will be played on Sept. 15.