Firecrackers Win 2 Titles at Northeast Elite Top 64 Tournament
The Maine Firecrackers sent 3 teams (12U, 13U, and 14U) to the Northeast Elite Top 64 Tournament this past weekend (June 4th/5th) which was held at St. Anselm College, NH. The combined record of the three teams was 11-1 with the 13U (4-0, played up @ 14U) and 14U (4-0, played up @ 15U) – winning the Championships.
12U: 3 – 1 2nd Place
Pool Play: Firecrackers 42 vs. Basketball Shoppe 27
Leading Scorers: Willerson 12, Dunlop 8, 5 others with 4 points each
Pool Play: Firecrackers 18 vs. Connecticut Sprit 41
Leading Scorers: Hatch 5, Willerson and Nelson 4 each
Pool Play: Firecrackers 51 vs. NH Flames 25
Leading Scorers: Willerson 17, Dunlop 8, Brogan 6
Pool Play: Firecrackers 45 vs. VBC 4
Leading Scorers: Brogan 8, Willerson and Ashley 6 each, Everyone on the team scored
This was the final weekend for the 12U Firecrackers, as they wrapped up their spring AAU basketball season with a successful weekend going 3-1 in the tournament. The team finished 2nd in this tournament, to cap a successful year, which had them finish with an overall record of 19 and 6. The weekend at the Northeast Elite Top 64 Tournament was kicked off with a victory vs. The Basketball Shoppe. This was achieved as a result of a solid team defensive effort, and boxing out for rebounds on both ends of the court. Jess Willerson and Juliauna Dunlop led the offensive effort with 12 and 8 points respectively. The second game of the tournament resulted in a loss to the CT Spirit (who ultimately won the tournament). The CT Spirit came into the game with a greater sense of urgency and fought more aggressively for the ball than the Firecrackers. In game 3’s victory vs. the NH Flames, the girls won due to the same defensive focus that they had shown in game 1. Jess Willerson and Juliauna Dunlop again led the charge offensively with 17 and 8 points respectively. The defensive effort in this game was led by Annabelle Elvidge whose aggressiveness and intensity led to a number of steals. Game 4 was their last game of the season and the team finished with a victory, where each of the 11 girls who played scored. They also all played solid team defense. In this game, Bethany Ashley stood out defensively with key steals and tipped balls that ended in lay-ups and easy scores for her teammates. Offensively, Julia Brogan led the balanced attack with a game high 8 points. Congratulations to the 12U Firecrackers on a good season-ending tournament as well as a successful 2011 AAU season
13U: 4 – 0
Pool Play: Firecrackers 52 vs. Basketball Shoppe 19
Leading Scorers: Sarah Clement 17pts, Ashley Storey 8pts
Pool Play: Firecrackers 47 vs. Visionary Basketball Club Blue(VBC) 14
Leading Scorers: Sarah Clement 18pts, Ashley Storey, 14pts, Camille Giardina 8pts
Semi-Final: Firecrackers 45 vs. VBC Gold 26
Leading Scorers: Victoria Lux 12pts, Sarah Clement 9pts, Bailey Adams 8pts
Championship Game: Firecrackers 47 vs. Connecticut Spirit 40
Leading Scorers: Ashley Storey 13pts, Ashley Briggs 11pts
The 13U Firecrackers rolled through another weekend on their way to their 5th tournament Championship of the spring. This group of young ladies has really come together and is beginning to understand their individual roles within the team…something that will help them as they prepare for Nationals. They played in a combined 13U/ 14U division and when the dust settled the final was a rematch of last year’s Top 64 Tournament Championship Game. The game was very competitive and featured a stark contrast in styles. The small, quick guards of the CT Spirit running and shooting 3’s, compared to the size and length of the Firecrackers. The game was close from the start, with the Spirit mixing their defences between a 2-3 and a 1-3-1 zone. This forced the Firecrackers to be patient on offense. In the first half, neither team was able to extend the lead to more than 4pts, with the Firecrackers up 2 at the half. Some spirited discussion at half-time, as well as offensive and defensive adjustments by Coach Clement and Coach Adams, had the girls prepared for 16 more minutes of basketball. The Spirit came out and hit 2 three’s and a lay-up to take a quick 6pt lead 2 minutes into the second half, but the score remained close throughout the second half. Offensively the Firecrackers went to their “flat” formation and were able to knock down a couple of baseline jumpers. On defence, they went to Cobra with Stretch (Ashley Storey) and her 9’ wingspan at the point. A few forced turnovers, and the combination of Vic Lux and Stretch’s length inside, started to wear down the shorter Spirit team. Several key plays stood out. Casey Simpson’s courage to stand in and take a charge on a driving Spirit player had her teammates on the bench all standing and applauding her effort. Ashley Briggs went 9-11 from the foul line in the second half to help close out the game. Ashley Storey played big on both ends of the floor throughout the weekend, and Sarah Clement coming back in the closing minute after getting the wind knocked out of her. Abby Hamilton provided a spark in the first half with 2 big three’s and some outstanding rebounding. The team stayed together despite missing two of their teammates (Camille and Sam). The ability they showed and the effort they put forward led to a well deserved victory.
14U: 4 – 0
Pool Play: Firecrackers 58 vs. Basketball to the Limit (B2L) 15U 45
High Scorers: Allie Clement 17pts (4 assists), Olivia Smith 12pts (7 rebs), Ashley Briggs 11pts (4 assists), Alisha Starbird 9pts
Pool Play: Firecrackers 46 vs. NH Shooting Stars 15U 39
High Scorers: Ashley Briggs 10pts (4 assists), Allie Clement 9pts, Olivia Smith 9pts (6 rebs, 5 blocked shots), Olivia Shaw / Brianne Maloney (7 rebs) 6pts each
Pool Play: Firecrackers 63 vs. Visionary Basketball Club (VBC) 15U 17
High Scorers: Allie Clement 17pts, Nina Davenport 16pts, Olivia Shaw 14pts
Championship Game: Firecrackers 59 vs. NH Shooting Stars 15U 42
High Scorers: Ashley Briggs 11pts (5 assists), Alisha Starbird 11pts, Olivia Smith 10pts, Allie Clement 9pts (4 assists), Nina Davenport 9pts, Sam Frost 7pts
The 14U Firecrackers continue to make progress and build momentum for their run at Nationals. Once again, dedication to team defense, physical play, and offensive efficiency were the trademarks of their games this weekend. The results above show the balanced scoring, unselfish play, and growing confidence in each other, which will allow the team to compete at a high level. Playing up and against good teams is good preparation for the challenges ahead. What stood out this weekend was the maturity and energy shown by the team. Many compliments received this weekend about the play of the team, but two especially stood out. The first one was from a referee who does a lot of games in Mass, CT, and NH. He said, after one of our games, that he thought the Firecrackers were the best “team” he had seen, that they were ”unselfish and it looked like the girls have been playing together for years” and that ”they make the extra pass and they seem to enjoy playing together.” The other comment was from the St. Anselm College coaching staff who were in attendance throughout the weekend and watched 2 of the Firecracker games. Coach Craft was impressed with the discipline on both offense and defense, the overall athleticism, and the pace at which team plays. She said, “I am from Texas and am still getting familiar with the Northeast, but if your team is indicative of the basketball being played in Maine I need to spend more time there.”