Firecrackers Stay Hot, Improve to 4-0

The Maine Firecrackers played their final game before playoffs Thursday evening, and trailed much of the game before rallying to defeat the Hoopstars Basketball Club from Ohio 50-44.

Having given up an average of 34 points in the first three games, the Firecrackers allowed 29 in the first half to the hot shooting Ohio team, as they went into intermission down 29-24. Fortunately first half threes by Abby Hamilton, Margaret Rigney, and Sarah Clement, along 4 points from Jess Willerson and 2 pull up jumpers from Allie Clement kept it close.

In the second half the Hoopstars cooled down from the perimeter, while the Firecrackers heated up. Two 3’s from Sarah Clement and one each from sister Allie and another one from Hamilton put the Firecrackers in the lead 48-44. Nursing a four point lead after taking a full minute off the clock, Olivia Dalphonse found an open Jess Willerson on the wing with 26 seconds remaining when Willerson made a bullet pass on a brilliant backdoor cut from Katie McCrum, who laid the ball in to the joy of the Firecracker bench and fans sealing the victory and continuing the unlikely 4-0 run.

Sarah Clement had her long ball dialed in again and led the team with 12 points. Willerson continued her strong play with 10, Abby Hamilton and Allie Clement contributed 9. Katie McCrum got the Ironwoman award for playing 29 minutes and chipping in 4pts, and Emily Esposito drained a long 2 off a nice Dalphonse assist. Dalphonse led the team with 4 assists and did a nice job along with Sarah Clement, McCrum, and Hamilton closing out the game.

The Maine girls will attempt to continue their run tomorrow afternoon in the gold division (winners bracket).