13U Nationals Tournament – Day Two

The 13u (8th Grade) Maine Firecrackers won their pool at AAU Nationals and advance to the Championship Brackett, comprised of the top 30 teams from the original 61.

Recaps of Games 2 and 3 are below.

Game two vs. Texas Glory

Again the Firecrackers started the game cold but 3 early foul shots, a Camille Giardina steal and assist to Sarah Clement, and a nice dish from Abby Hamilton to Giardina found the Maine team up 8-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Giardina started the second with a steal and layup followed by a Clement 3 but the Firecrackers found themselves down at halftime, 20-19.

Katie McCrum pulled her team ahead with a steal and pull up jump shot in traffic and the Firecrackers ended the 3rd quarter up 33-30.

In the 4th, the Firecrackers blew the game open with strong offensive play and stifling defense as the Glory got few uncontested shots and the Firecrackers exploded for 25 4th quarter points and cruised to a 55-38 win against a good Texas team.

Dynamic guards Camille Giardina and Sarah Clement led the scoring with 19 and 18 points respectively.  The powerful post trio of Sam Sparda of Scarborough, Ashley Storey of Greely, and Vic Lux of McAuley got in foul trouble early and limited some of their effectivenes, but Alexis Redmond and Casey Simpson(Cheverus)  played well inside. Katie McCrum and Bailey Adams (Scarborough) continued their stellar defensive play while Gorham’s Abby Hamilton continued her clutch all around play.

Game 3 vs. Lehigh Valley (PA) Fever

This game was a defensive battle but the Firecrackers took the lead on a spectacular Ashley Storey  first quarter buzzer beating lob pass from Sarah Clement. The lead changed hands a few times with the Maine girls up 20-17 at the half. In the second half  the Firecrackers pulled ahead by 10 on a long 2 from Hamilton, inside hoops by Storey and Lux, and a 3 ball from Clement. Unfortunatey, the Firecrackers went on a four minute cold spell and the Fever cut the lead to 32-30. The team had numerous good shots that didn’t fall but untimey turnovers left the door open for the Fever and with less than a minute to play the Lehigh squad cashed in with a big 3 to take it’s first lead and defeat the Firecrackers 33-32. Sarah Clement led the team with 13 points, while Hamilton, Storey, and Giardina each added 4. Sam Sparda grabbed 8 rebounds while Katie McCrum and Vic Lux each had 6.

Fortunately, the Firecrackers still won their pool and now move on to the Championshop Brackett, comprised of the top 30 teams out of the original 61.