Firecrackers down Tarheels, 50-39, in opener at ASGR playoffs

Defense and unselfish play spark 16U in first game in Charlotte

It’s always interesting time when you take the court during a Division 1 Live Period for recruiting. There is just a different kind of buzz in the gym, as you read the school name on the front of the varying coaches sitting on the sideline. As the Maine Firecrackers 16U team took the floor for their first game of the ASGR Summer Playoffs they were welcomed by 40 plus coaches ready to check out the action.

The Triangle Tarheels out of North Carolina clearly wanted to send a message to the highly regarded Firecrackers team (top seed in their Bracket) that they were here to “mix it” up. You never know how a game is going to be played OR officiated in these venues and from the onset the officials made it clear they were going to let both teams “play.” After 6 minutes of play the score reflected the defensive intensity and physicality of the game, as it was knotted at a whomping 2-2 thanks to a Brie Wajer lay in.

At this point Coach Briggs went to his bench with the insertion of Alex Hart and Faith Blethen and the tide would quickly turn in the Firecrackers favor. A 3 pointer by Blethen, followed by a Hart score and another Blethen basket pushed the lead out to 11-5 in favor of the Firecrackers. The Tarheels responded off a couple of Maine turnovers and quickly cut the lead back to 11-10. Mackenzie Holmes hit two quick baskets the 2nd one a nifty jump hook off the glass to push the lead back to 5.

The game continued it’s physical nature at one point stopped by the referees, who tried to get control of the game back and talked to both team about their play. One thing for certain was the Firecrackers, showing true Maine “Spirit,” were not about to back down to what the Tarheels were dishing out. Emily Esposito, who was clearly the focus of the North Carolina defense, hit a basket and than a HUGE 3 pointer by Bri Wajer as the first half was running out pushed the lead out to 21-16 at the half.

The 2nd half started and the Ladies from Maine began to figure out the pressure from the North Carolina team. A couple of set press breaker plays led to hoops by Anna DeWolfe who would break out in the 2nd half of the game after being bottled up most of the 1st half. The Firecrackers really started rolling and a great put back from Danasia Fennie and lay in off a fast break, was mixed it with two more 3 pointers from Blethen, another DeWolfe floater and finally a great post move by Holmes and the lead was pushed out to 19 points, 39-20 with about 7 minutes to play.

The rest of the game saw the Firecrackers look like they would get rattled by the pressure being applied, only to answer every time with baskets from DeWolfe, Esposito and solid bench contributions from Alaina Birkel and Katie Butler. The Tarheels squad would get no closer than the final margin 50-39. Coach Briggs had to be happy, while the team did not play it’s best basketball, much could be credited to the defensive and physical style of play of the team from North Carolina. In short they got punched in the mouth and punched back, which is the mark of a team ready to compete for a Championship.

Up next is the Brandan Wright squad from Tennessee – at 3:35 tomorrow. Two teams with contrasting styles – the Tennessee teams loves to get out and run the floor and get quick shots up – they have been averaging close to 60 points a game in the past two ASGR tournaments. The Firecrackers have built their team on Defense, Discipline and Unselfish play, it should be interesting to see what style of play wins out. One thing is most likely for certain, when these two talented teams take the floor, there will be another audience of coaches more than eager to take in the action.