16U runs the table, captures ASGR Hoopfest Boston title

Esposito scores 24 points, Firecrackers defeat iExcel, 48-39, in the championship

From Coach Don Briggs,

The 16U Firecrackers started their journey this weekend into uncharted territory Friday night as they began their first year playing in the prestigious ASGR League, which represents teams from all over the country culminating in the Summer Championships in Charlotte N.C. in late July. Each ASGR event counts toward the ceding for the end of summer Tournament of Champions in Charlotte NC July 25-28. After two years of being recruited into the league, the Firecracker program has made the decision to participate…primarily for the benefit of the kids. Guaranteed top level competition and playing on the best courts is always a challenge being from Maine. As Coach Briggs stated…”the competition we will see and play against, and the coaches that will watch us play is taking us and exposure for Maine kids to an entirely different level.”

Game 1: Maine Firecrackers vs. Philly Freedom Stars: Won 63-16

After 5 weeks of beating each other up in practice, the 16U Firecracker squad – which is very young when compared to their competition having 3 freshman and a sophomore on the 9 member team took of the Philly Freedom Stars. While the program has had a lot of success historically this particular team was no match for the defensive energy and offensive pace the Firecrackers brought to the beginning of the game. The Firecrackers raced to a 38-9 lead at halftime. Coach Briggs (in the 1 minute of halftime) told the kids, “I’m asking you to be mature, I’m asking you to not look at the score, every game we have is an opportunity to get better, let’s focus on improving as a team the second half.” To their credit, the kids came out and competed just like in the first half and having the lead expand to 45pts and a running clock the young Firecracker ladies left the court 1-0 and advancing to the next round of this event. While it’s obvious the score of the game is indicative of the talent levels of the two teams, a great sign for the Firecrackers was the team’s defensive intensity.  Coach Briggs is well aware that if this team is going to meet with the expectations of the talent on the squad it will start with commitment to defense.

Game 2: Maine Firecrackers vs. Mass Rivals: Won 48-32

Saturday’s first game pitted the team from Maine against a perennial power from the Bay State, the Mass Rivals 16U team.  After jumping out to a quick 9-3 lead forcing a timeout by head coach Scott Hazelton, the Rivals responded with a 12-0 run to take back the lead at 15-9. We weathered the storm and regained our composure and rode the hot shooting of Anna DeWolfe as she knocked down consecutive 3 pointers to start the Firecrackers rolling.  Once the team got going from the outside, fellow freshman Mackenzie Holmes was found inside for a couple of easy baskets.  Emily Esposito showed why she is one of the most heavily recruited players ever from Maine with a couple of pretty pull up jumpers as the Maine team finished the half up 25-22.

The 2nd half showed the depth of the club, while DeWolfe continued her hot hand, the defensive pressure applied by Saco’s Alex Hart combined with Bangor’s Katie Butler scoring a couple of baskets on the interior expanded the lead to 10 at the half-way point of the second half. Brie Wajer knocked down a 3 and Gorham’s Dansia Fennie showed why she may be the state’s top interior defender with a series of impressive blocked shots.  Down the stretch Faith Blethen, Alaina Birkel provided great play off the bench as the depth of this team showed why Coach Briggs decided to move the team up a level of competition into the ASGR circuit. The defense in the second half was outstanding holding the Rivals to 10 points while closing out the game by executing on the offensive end.

Game 3: Maine Firecrackers vs. Riverside Hawks: Won 48-36

In the nightcap, the Firecrackers took on the Riverside Hawks out of Long Island New York and things did not look good out of the gate. Coach Briggs spoke to the kids before the game about being prepared mentally. “It’s been a long day waiting to play and we need to make sure we bring our energy right from the beginning of the game. The Hawks are good and we can’t afford to be playing from behind.” Well, two minutes into the game Coach Briggs had to call a timeout (something he hates to do and was the only timeout he called all weekend) as the team started down 10-2 and not looking very good on either end of the floor.  To say he was very direct with his message to the girls would be an understatement. The reader’s digest version, as we could all hear the instructions…”get your head out of your butt”.  With Coach Briggs’ words ringing in their ears the Firecrackers quickly picked up their defensive intensity and once again rode the hot shooting of DeWolfe to get back into the game. The size of the Hawks (frontline of 6′ 5″, 6’2, and 6′ 1″) required a quick line up adjustment as well with Fennie entering the game bringing her incredible jumping ability to wow the fans and college coaches with some of the best defensive blocks at the rim anyone has ever seen. In fact, one break-away layup was pinned on the glass! As the halftime horn sounded, the young Firecrackers found themselves up 6 …30-24. On the last play of the half, Esposito took an elbow to her ribs/stomach area and had a hard time breathing during the break. But true to her character, she came out in the second half more determined than ever.  The 2nd half provided the best basketball of the weekend for the Firecracker squad (to that point).  Defensively with Hart pressuring the ball and Wajer deflecting passes the team from New York never could get into any type of rhythm offensively.  Blethen came in off the bench and knocked down some key foul line jumpers (against their 2-3 zone) and found Butler inside for an old fashion 3 point play as the Firecrackers pulled away from the Riverside team for an impressive 48-36 victory.

Game 4: Maine Firecrackers vs. IExcel: Won 48-39 (Championship Game)

The Firecrackers find themselves in the Championship game against one of the best teams they will play all season. Coach Briggs told us after the game, one college coach stated to him “there were at least 11 division 1 players on the floor in that game! Well I know how many we may have, so that means they have a lot. Warm-ups was interesting as the IExcel team had 4 players standing 6′ 4” or better. Big and athletic and guard play that was outstanding…this would require a team effort reminiscent of last year’s signature win at Deep South against Mac Irvin Fire (Chicago). It is really hard to describe the competitive level of this game, but to the delight of the standing room only gym and the baseline filled with college coaches the Maine team demonstrated what effort, discipline, determination, and a genuine love for each other can do. Clearly, the IExcel team was more athletic, well coached, and loaded with college talent. The Maine kids…undersized and very young stepped up and played incredibly inspired defense that had the college coaches lining up after the game to speak with Coach Briggs. This was a 1-2 point game the entire way…until late when a Blethen 3, an Esposito fade away jumper, and a DeWolfe steal and bucket pushed the Firecracker lead to 6pts with 2 minutes remaining. With the lead, the Maine squad went into “motion” and took some time off the clock making their opponent have to foul. The Firecracker closed the game going 7-8 from the line to seal the victory. Just an incredible game against top level competition in a spectacular environment.

Overall:

From Coach Briggs:

The work ethic of kids on this team and in this program is incredible. Practicing 3 and 4 days a week, traveling long distances to be committed to their teammates. Sacrificing weekends and evenings with friends. You can see why college coaches recruit these players. To have a front row seat and experience what was accomplished this weekend is very humbling. Other than the first game, the last 3 games we played outstanding teams from very successful programs. We have spent a lot of time on our offense for the past 5 weeks but I know for us to have success our defense will be the differentiator. The impact we had in our games on the defensive end was the best part of the weekend. The kids have been playing our defense for several years and their ability to impact the game like they did was a lot of fun to watch. Emily Esposito showed throughout this weekend why she is the most heavily recruited player in the state. She scored 24 points in the final with a variety of pull up jumpers, three pointers, power layups, and fast break finishes. She was a leader in every sense of the word. Her fellow classmates – Danasia Fennie is starting to be more assertive on the offensive side of the ball and show what we all knew is there as she has attacked the rim and knocked down jumpers to go along with her defensive skills. Katie Butler – driving from Bangor every week, is undersized weight wise every game, but her heart is huge and she never stops competing…had great moments and came up big when called upon. Alaina Birkel continues to be one of the best emotional and vocal leaders in our program. While she may not get her name in the paper every game, her role, and discipline on the court is no less important. Brie Wajer is an absolute coach on the floor…steady at all times, she is willing to sacrifice every individual accolade for team success. Our youngsters are growing up fast…sophomore Alex Hart is a game changer on defense and her ball pressure and ability to disrupt the opponent’s offensive timing sets the tone for our defense. She is providing opportunistic scoring when called upon. And last, our 3 freshman have grown up significantly in a short amount of time. Faith Blethen had the ball ripped out of her hands after a defensive rebound in game one. I took her out and gave her some feedback. She has played differently since and at 6’ 1” and very skilled is starting to bring a physically strong mindset to games to go along with her athleticism. Mackenzie Holmes is playing against more size and athleticism than at any time in her young career and she hasn’t backed down one time. She has had some incredible moments on both ends with jumping screens and defending guards on the perimeter, blocked shots, rebounds in traffic, and posting up and taking it to bigger and older players. Her ceiling is very high. And last Anna DeWolfe quite possibly could replace Emily as the most highly recruited player in Maine before her career is over. Her ability to change games with scoring and passing catches the eye of every coach watching us play.

It is Monday morning and I have already received 17 phone calls from college coaches about every player on this roster. The common theme…fun to watch, unselfish, skills are excellent, and we love the heart of your kids. We move on to Deep South (Raleigh NC) this weekend leaving Thursday morning. The competition will be even tougher than what we experienced this weekend – not sure how that is possible but looking forward to preparing for more battles ahead.