16u Firecrackers finish 12th at Blue Chip Invitational

A two-week break awaits as team preps for US Jr Nationals

The 16u Firecrackers completed their Pennsylvania journey today and headed back to Vacationland after a 12th place finish in the Platinum II Division (128 teams total) of the 3 Stripe USA Invitational.

Game six pitted an injury plagued and fatigued Firecracker 16u team against the Mass Premier out of Foxboro. The game was close throughout but the consistent theme was the Maine girls struggled shooting against a pesky 2:3 zone. Patient ball movement generated repeated quality shots but only Kelsey Shaw (9 first half points) was able to consistently capitalize and the Firecrackers trailed 24-21 at the midway point.

In the second half the cool shooting continued to plague the team in orange with only Emily Esposito finding her groove. Ball movement from Katie Butler, Danasia Fennie, Jess Willerson, and Esposito was generally good but many shots were front rimmed. The deficit was 32-28 with 3 minutes left but a Mass 3 forced the Firecrackers to begin fouling and the Premier took care of the ball and made their foul shots for a 47-35 victory.

Kelsey Shaw led the team with 13 points, Esposito had 10, Sierra Tapley 5, Birkel 4, and Katie Butler added a hoop.

Overall it was a good finish but the Maine girls were disappointed that a pair of winnable games got away from them. Emily Esposito was not close to her full self with a sore ankle but she still attracted a crowd of many Division I coaches (including Marist, BC, Delaware, UNH, and St. Josephs of Pa) and made some outstanding individual plays. Coach Brian Clement noted that he saw some excellent players in PA but there was nobody he would choose over Esposito due to her unusual skill set, athleticism, and will to win.

Kelsey Shaw (offers at Assumption, Stonehill, and St. Mike’s) had an outstanding week of all around play and appears ready for college basketball today. Her ability to shoot the long ball, pull up from mid range and finish with defenders bouncing off her makes her a special player. Sierra Tapley (committed to UMaine) was gritty and fearless as always and her game has become very complete in the past 6 months- she runs the show with poise, can score in bunches, and has some of the best handles around. She is also a tenacious worker and as tough as nails.

Danasia Fennie (offered at BU) once again led the team in “Wow” moments, primarily with emphatic blocked shots and soaring rebounds but her understanding of defensive rotations and “ground covered” in closing out is unique. Cindy Blodgett (asst at BU) was a regular front row spectator to reiterate her interest in Fennie’s services.

Jess Willerson played 2 of her best games of the season early in the week while displaying unusual range for a post player her size. She also had some very good games defending in the post. Yale, Brown, and Loyola were all in attendance evaluating her.

Junior Brie Wajer had an excellent week also. She is athletic and a prolific scorer on her high school team but relishes her role as playmaker, defender, and leader on this team. She was 5-5 from the field in the first game and showed great heart and character every single game. Colleges are taking note of her skillset and athleticism but above all else she is a winner.

As always, Junior Katie Butler added an unusual element to the team- she is a long 6’2″ who runs like a gazelle. BU, American, Merrimack and Brown have noticed her talents but she probably doesn’t get the attention she deserves for her tenacity and versatility on defense and her willingness to be a physical force in the paint.

Finally, Alaina Birkel continued to provide an instant spark of energy when she entered the game. She is an accurate long range shooter, a wonderful passer, and is one of the best perimeter defenders on the team but more than anything but she is a great teammate and a joy to coach. Her high academic prowess is getting her steady NESCAC interest.

After a two week break, the Firecrackers will play their final tournament of 2015 at US Jr Nationals in DC July 22-25.

The focus of the program now shifts to the 14u Briggs coached team, who starts play Thursday at AAU Division 2 Nationals at ESPN’s Disney facility in an effort to defend their D2 title from last year in Boston.