Video: 16U wins overtime thriller against Team Ohio, 52-50
Esposito drained a three, as time expired in regulation, to force overtime
Esposito to Holmes, game winner
The “off-season” club circuit is a funny thing in the Basketball world. You can be treated to just about every type of game you can imagine, however, rarely do you get to see two teams who play a game that embodies everything that is right about basketball. The fans, players and college coaches sitting court side as the Maine Firecrackers and Team Ohio squared off got just that today in North Carolina. In the end it was an Overtime victory (first team to score 2 points) for the Ladies from Maine and a date in the Semi-Finals tomorrow at 9:05.
This game is one that a play by play description could never do justice to the basketball display these two teams put on. It was two teams executing, playing hard, no trash talking needed – play the game the “right” way and may the better team win.
The first half was a back and forth affair with neither team able to open more than a 4 point margin. The Firecrackers would ride the young tandem of Mackenzie Holmes and Anna DeWolfe on the offensive end as the accounted for 18 of the 20 first half points for the ladies from Maine. Holmes in particular dominated the inside play highlighted by a rip through drive from the perimeter that resulted in a spectacular 3 point play. Team Ohio one of the most disciplined teams the Firecrackers have played executed their sets and continually knocked down 3 point shots from DEEP range. The Firecrackers trailed for the first time in a long time at the half 21-20.
The 2nd half of this game will be remembered by all in attendance why Emily Esposito is one of the most highly recruited players ever to grace the courts of Maine Basketball. “Espo” was held scoreless in the first half and as she inbounded the ball to start the 2nd half, you could sense a gleam in her eye and a determination all the great ones have.
Team Ohio started the half with another 3, however, Esposito answered immediately back with one of her own, DeWolfe added a basket as did Bri Wajer and the Firecracker team began to build some momentum. After a perfectly executed in bounds Lob pass to Holmes resulted in another basket, the Firecrackers pushed their lead to 31-25 and seemed to be taking control. Alex Hart got fouled on a drive to the basket and Coach Briggs used the opportunity his starters some rest. Despite great pressure by the Firecracker reserves – Faith Blethen, Katie Butler and Alaina Birkel the Ohio Team really began to find the range as the took control with a 9-0 run and a 4 point lead.
There was a bunch of things that happen between that point and the last minute of the game, but too be honest the real story was the final seconds of the game. The Maine team trailed by 6 with a little over 20 seconds to play and it looked bleak fro the Firecracker girls. However, this is a team made up of never say die players and a Coach who refused to believe this team could not pull it out. Coach Briggs did a masterful job of managing the clock down the stretch and his message of PLAY EVERY MINUTE could never hold more truth. Brie Wajer hit an amazing driving lay up to cut the lead to 4 and coach immediately called a time out to set the defense.
The next sequence really epitomizes the heart of the Firecracker team. Blethen was inserted for defensive pressure, however, she gave her player too much room and Team Ohio lobbed a full court pass over her head to give what looked like an easy lay up and a 6 point lead. Blethen could of easily given a run at it and hung her head, but that’s not what this team is about. Faith sprinted caught up with her player and caused a jump ball, this play would play huge moments later. Team Ohio retained possession but on the inbounds foul would make only 1-2 from the line to push the lead to 5 with 18 seconds to play.
The last 18 seconds of the game Esposito simply refused to let her team lose. After grabbing the rebound off the miss she drove the length of the floor and hit a twisting lay up, which led to Coach Briggs using his last time out with 10 seconds to play. The Ladies set up their full court pressure and under duress the Team Ohio inbounder lobbed a pass which out of bounds. With no timeouts the ladies had to simply execute and they had one thought in mind, get the ball to “Espo” and let her go to work. Esposito caught the ball at the top of the key shrugged off two defenders and launched a 3 with seconds on the clock that found nothing but the bottom of the net and set the Firecracker faithful into an unbelievable “did I just see that??” Pandemonium. 50-50 we are headed to Overtime!
The overtime consisted of first team to score two points wins! As the teams came out of the time out Coach Briggs grabbed Esposito aside and let her know, everyone in the gym knew the ball was going through her, however, look inside to Holmes if the opportunity presented itself as she may have an open look. Truer advice was never spoken. Holmes won the tip and the Firecrackers patiently ran their offensive sets. Holmes set a pick for Esposito and she received the pass at the foul line as she rose up for the shot, with Coach Briggs words ringing in their ears, she dropped the ball to Holmes who hit the left handed lay in, the “Gorham Connection” sent another round of bedlam from the fans of the Maine Ladies, as the Firecrackers survived and advanced with a 52-50 exhilarating win.
One other things about these events, there is not much time to rest on your laurels – Friday’s game brings another challenge and more opportunities for this team to prove just how GOOD this Firecrackers team is!