As NCAA evaluation period closes, recruiting heats up for Firecrackers

A successful summer on the court creates new opportunities for 16u

While all 9 girls were disappointed they missed US Junior Nationals playoffs on a close tiebreaker, the coaching staff felt good about how the team competed and represented the program and State of Maine. The 3-2 finish included a controversial three point loss (Esposito was blatantly fouled on a 3 to tie at the buzzer), and a three point win against a very strong TeamXpress (TX) squad. Both games could have gone either way but the atmosphere was outstanding in each case with college coaches lining courtside and lots of onlookers. The intensity was high and the level of play was impressive and extremely aggressive.

It is believed that this is the first time a Maine women’s team has ever been placed in a division as high as Platinum at USJN after last year’s 16u team won the Silver division. Some even questioned if the Maine kids could be competitive but they were proved wrong. Though the Firecrackers were outmatched in 3 of the games from an athletic standpoint, their fundamental, unselfish, and energetic play allowed them to have a chance in every game. Wins were by nine, three, and three … with losses by 14 and three. In the 14 point loss, the Mainers were very competitive but shot 24% and weren’t able to manufacture enough points in spite of limiting their opponent.

Below is the US Junior Nationals roster:

1. Emily Esposito, Jr, Gorham: Once again proved she is a blue chip D1 player. She is able to get her shot off in traffic by elevating above defenders and in addition to her unique athleticism has a tremendous will to win. Esposito is one of the most heavily recruited kids to come out of Maine in the past 20 years for good reason. She currently has offers from Maine, Marist, BC, and St. Joseph’s with significant interest from BU, Richmond, Delaware, UNH, and many others.

2. Kelsey Shaw, Sr, MDI: Led the team in scoring many games and is a tough matchup because she shoots the 3, has a soft pull up jumper, and is extremely good at attacking the rim hard and finishing well. She plays with tremendous heart and regularly dives on the floor in practice. Shaw has offers from Assumption, Stonehill, and St. Michaels. Penn is also recruiting her.

3. Sierra Tapley, Sr, MDI: A physically and mentally tough kid, her work ethic is incredible (veins pop out of her forehead when doing ball handling drills) and she loves to have the ball when the game is on the line. Tapley was difficult to take off the floor this year and is a winner first. She has accepted a full scholarship at Maine after passing on offers at St. Mike’s, Merrimack, and Assumption.

4. Jess Willerson, Sr, McAuley: Has a nice mid range shot, gets to the foul line a lot, and has an excellent college frame. She finishes well around the rim and has good skills. She is currently undecided but getting a lot of interest from Bowdoin, Amherst, Yale, and Loyola.

5. Alaina Birkel, Jr, Falmouth: An outstanding defender and dangerous three point shooter, above all else Birkel is a tremendous leader and a great teammate. An absolute joy to coach, Birkel is a high academic student getting mostly NESCAC looks at this point.

6. Danasia Fennie, Jr, Westbrook: One of the most gifted female leapers ever to come through Maine, Fennie gets up high and she gets there very quickly. She is a Bill Russell type who relishes the role of shot blocker, rebounder, and intimidator. Boston University has offered and she is also getting interest from Holy Cross, Hartford, and Merrimack.

7. Katie Butler, Jr, Bangor: Very athletic and long at 6’2″, she is a strong and very versatile defender. She is able to defend all five positions, plays physical, rebounds well, and can finish around the rim. She is getting interest from American, Brown, St. A’s, BU, and Stonehill, among others.

8. Brie Wajer, Jr, Lincoln Academy: Injured and unable to play at USJN, she is a heady guard. Wajer scores, distributes, is judicious with the ball, and is a fierce defender. She has a great motor to go with her athleticism and skills and will be an excellent coach someday if she chooses to pursue it. A coaches dream, she has interest from Bowdoin, Stonehill, Merrimack, Colby, and Assumption so far.

9. Anna DeWolfe, Fr, Greely: Normally on the 14u team, she was moved up for USJN. She is extremely quick and has impressive skills to go with her athleticism. She could be one of the better HS guards in the state as a freshman. She has already received interest from Villanova, Marist, and several others before her high school career has even begun.

10. Mackenzie Holmes, Fr, Gorham: Also a regular on our freshman team, she was also moved up for USJN as well. She is a physical specimen with outstanding hands and an impressive motor. She enjoys banging in the post and had no problem physically competing with players three years older. Has the potential to be a very special post player and has already attracted the interest of Rice, Stonehill, St. A’s, and others without playing a HS game yet.