XALAPA (Mexico) - The FIBA U16 Americas Championship continued with three games from Xalapa, Mexico on Tuesday. The United States continued to dominate – this time against the Dominican Republic.

As we continue to get a feel for all eight teams across Groups A and B, stars are starting emerge while storylines continue to build.

Here are takeaways from the second day of group play:

Ronald Dewayne Holland II shows strength

After shutting down the Dominican Republic 133-74, the United States have proven their dominance. It’s only the second day of group play but Holland has shown sensational talent.
Holland combined with Bryson Ansell Tucker to score 44 total points vs. DOM. Six players scored in double figures combined. And every talent who entered the game for Team USA scored at least two points.

Putting up 133 points at any level isn’t easy and proves that the United States plays with a pace and tempo that wears down their opponents, 62 fast break points isn’t just impressive -- it shows the United States may be borderline unstoppable.

Lights out from beyond the arc for Argentina

On day one, we talked about Brazil’s interior presence and how dominant it was vs. Mexico. On day two, their weapon was essentially nullified and overtaken by Argentina’s lights out 3-point shooting.

While most teams struggled from beyond the arc to start group play, Argentina have shown the centerpiece of their superb offensive structure. The club is very effective at distributing the ball and running their schemes smartly, but their ability to stretch the defense and utilize the 3-point line to their advantage creates serious mismatches.

Argentina drilled 16-of-41 3-pointers in their impressive 98-52 win over Brazil on Tuesday. They drilled only eight 3’s vs. Canada, however, they scored 81 total points in that game and showed their potential offensively.

Mexico not using home court to their advantage

Thought to have the benefit of limited travel, Mexico have been unable to inspire confidence with two listless performances to open the event. On Monday, the Mexican side was defeated by Brazil by 10 points. One day later, they were throttled 85-49 by Canada.

The most concerning aspect of their first two outings – and Tuesday’s matchup in particular – has been their lack of fluidity on offense. The team looks out of sync and very limited from a chemistry point of view. Beyond Charles Georgelos – who scored 12 points on just 2-of-9 shooting – Mexico didn’t receive a single player in double figures.

Shooting 15-of-72 from the field and turning the ball over 27 times is not going to give them a chance to beat very many squads in this event.

FIBA