Firecrackers secure spot in AAU’s national championship game

8th-graders eclipsed BDS (NH) in the semifinal, play Cincy Swish (OH) for the tournament title

For the second time today the 8th grade Firecrackers relied on defense to climb out of another 7 point second half deficit, this time rallying late for a 56-48 win over BDS (NH) to secure a shot at the title from the original pool of 33 teams entered in the AAU D2 Nationals. BDS is a relatively new program in the Nashua area comprised of several former NE Crusaders and NH Flames and they have rolled in the tournament with impressive offense and large margins of victory.

True to form, BDS exploded out of the gate with pressure defense leading to four layups and a 9-2 lead. Brooke Obar stemmed the tide with a smooth pull up to make it 9-4 but NH scored in their dribble drive offense again to extend to 11- 4. Maggie Whitmore responded with a power layup and two foul shots and the scoreboard read 11-8 before Camille Clement tied the game with a long 3 when found open by Brooke Obar. After a two by BDS Obar registered her 4th assist of the quarter when she threaded a highlight worthy half- court pass to a streaking Clement, who caught it in stride and made a beautiful right handed reverse layup to end the quarter with the game tied 13-13.

Julz Colby took over in the second quarter with 2 consecutive drives and a tremendous conventional 3 point play that knotted the score at 17 but one of the standout BDS guards hit consecutive 3’s as the lead was stretched again. Whitmore hit a short jumper after a tremendous effort by Jacqui Hamilton to keep an offensive rebound alive before Obar assisted Clement again, this time on a back door cut and layup. When Colby made a jail break against the full court press the half ended with NH up 30-28.

The third quarter remained like a prize fight with each team delivering blows but neither one buckling. Serena Mower got the party started with a short bank shot but NH got hot and reeled off 4 quick points and the Mainers found themselves down 35-28 forcing a Firecracker timeout in which Coach Clement implored his girls to dig in and commit to the defensive end. The women in Orange responded with 5 consecutive stops while Obar connected on a 3 and Mower got another hoop on a kick out from Wener. Whitmore went 3-4 from the line as the Firecrackers battled out of their deficit to pull ahead 39-36 at the end of 3.

After a long jumper by NH cutting the lead to one, Gabrielle Wener splashed a three to extend to 42-38 and NH struggled to get good shots over the next 5 minutes. With 4 minutes remaining Colby hit Whitmore in stride for a layup and the score was 48-42 when the Firecrackers became more judicious with time management and shot selection. Whitmore was moved to the point to take advantage of her matchup with a longer but less agile NH post player and she produced in the clutch with ice water in her veins, getting to the line 3 times in the final 2 minutes and making 5-6. Colby was clutch as well going 3-4 with the game on the line and a raucous crowd heckling. The game ended with the largest lead of the day at 56-48 due to DBS intentionally fouling.

Whitmore led the team with 23 points, Colby scored 11, Clement knocked in 8, Obar 6 pts/6 assists, Mower chipped in 4 with another stellar defensive job on NH’s best player, Wener added the key 3 and 5 rebounds, and Hamilton added a foul shot to go with her own 5 rebounds and consistent physical play. Madison Blanche played key minutes and was excellent on the defensive end, while Hope Olson (3 rebounds) and Emily Huntington (1 steal and 1 rebound) made the most of their minutes as well in game that required contributions from all ten players. 

Tomorrow’s final is at 10:30 on the main ESPN court vs. the Cincy Swish, the top seed in this years tournament.

Thanks to all the support from Mainers sending notes and wishing us well.