Team Canada leaves Paris as the fourth seed in the women’s tournament

PARIS – The Senior Women’s National Team wrapped up the 2024 Paralympic Games as the fourth seed – it’s best finish in 20 years.

Canada concluded the Paris Games with a hard-fought battle against China, coming up short in a 65-43 decision.

“China did everything well. Their press, their mismatches on the littles, their No. 3 shooter hit everything,” said Tara Llanes. “It’s pretty tough to defend when you have a team like that. You can only make so many rotations until someone is open, and you hope they miss and they didn’t.”

The fourth-place finish in Paris is the best result for the SWNT since they captured bronze at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. Canada finished fifth in Beijing in 2008, sixth at the 2012 Games in London, fifth in Rio in 2016 and fifth at the Tokyo Paralympics.

“I’m really proud of our finish. Mostly, I’m just proud of this team and how we’ve improved these last few months,” said Arinn Young. “I don’t think we’re a fourth place team. I do think we’re a medal team. This wasn’t our day. Unfortunately, that’s basketball. I just wish this team could come away with a medal.”

Added head coach Michele Sung: “Obviously incredibly proud. Perspective will come in the next couple of weeks. It’s tough to get this close and not come home with a medal.”

Young scored a team-high 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Rosalie Lalonde added 11 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Kady Dandeneau added 10 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

Canada finished shooting 17 of 48 from the field, while China made 57 per cent of its shots.

“We’re always really adamant about throwing that first punch, and unfortunately, China was the one that threw it first, and we just couldn’t come back from it,” said Young. “Props to China – they didn’t miss anything.”

Added Sung: “We knew that with China losing in the semis, they would come out gunning. We stuck to our game plan, they shot lights out. We were giving up the right rotations, and they just shot the ball better than we did.”

Complete stats from Sunday’s game can be found here.

Tournament schedule and results can be found on WBC’s website.

Images from the 2024 Paralympics can be found on the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s photo shelter here.