13U Nationals Tournament – Day Four
The Firecracker team poses in front of the ESPN logo during a break between games at the AAU Nationals. With two wins today, the Firecrackers advanced to the championship game at noon on Thursday.
13u Maine Firecrackers Still Burning, Advance to Final 4
The eighth grade Maine Firecrackers kept their dream run at Div 2 AAU Nationals alive with an impressive 49-29 win in the elite 8 against a very fundamental Stamford Peace team, 2011 Connecticut State Champs. Once again, defense was the key as the Maine girls kept another opponent under 30 points. This time, the girls jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead and extended it to 14-5 at the end of one with 5 players scoring. In the second, Abby Hamilton connected on a beautiful 3 ball, Sarah Clement hit two pull up jumpers, Camille Giardina knocked in 4 points, and Sam Sparda added two free throws as the Firecrackers pulled ahead 28-13. The Peace turned the ball over numerous times with the pressure defense from the gritty and determined kids from Maine, led by defensive standout Katie “K Sword” McCrum.
The lead was extended to 22 in the second half with strong play from Bailey Adams, Casey Simpson, and Alexis Redmond.
Sarah Clement from Falmouth led all scorers with 17 points (2 threes and 4 assists), Ashley Storey played classic Storey family basketall with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks, and Camille Giardina frustrated another defense with her elusiveness. Giardina has been one of the most difficult players to guard in the tournament and once again played a super all around game with 7 points, 6 steals, and 5 assists. Sam Sparda and Vic Lux were strong in the post again, combining for 8 points and 10 rebounds.
The original field of 61Division 2 teams has been narrowed down to four. There were 12 total teams in D1 and another 12 in D3, for a total of 84 teams competing at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports at Disney in Orlando.
The Firecrackers play in the Final 4 later today against perennial powerhouse Tennessee Glory.
Coaches Brian Clement and Doug Adams said the “The team is grateful for all the support from Maine.”
Firecrackers Advance to Championship Game
The improbable run of the 13u Maine Firecrackers will continue for another day after they knocked off the talented Tennessee Glory in today’s Final Four match-up 49-43.
The Maine girls jumped out to an 11-6 lead at the end of one behind two baskets from Ashley Storey, a spectacular 3 point play from Bailey Adams, and another traditional 3 from Camille Giardina. The Firecrackers played great team man to man defense again in the second, limiting a very explosive Tennessee team to 8 points. Offensively, Sarah Clement knocked down two three balls. A strong post move by Vic Lux and foul shot by Sparky Giardina made it 20-14 at the half.
In the second half both teams heated up after 2 more threes from Clement and a nice lob pass and finish for rising star Ashley Storey. Lux had two power lay-ups on passes from Abby Hamilton and Katie McCrum. The lead was never more than 8 points for the Maine girls and the Glory cut it to 2 after consecutive threes with just 3:08 remaining, but Giardina took a handoff from Storey and blew by a defender with a floater off the glass to extend the lead to 4.
The Firecrackers went to Lux in the post on the next possession and it paid dividends with another great feed from McCrum to make the score 46-40.
The Firecrackers closed it out by going 9-10 from the foul line (Giardina was 8-8). For the game, the team shot 13-16.
Giardina and Clement led the team in scoring again with 16 and 15 points and handled the Glory’s pressure well. Storey added 8 with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Lux had 7 points and 7 rebounds. McCrum and Sam Sparda were defensive terrors and repeatedly came up with loose balls. Together, they combined for 12 rebounds, but their grit and determination was immeasurable.
The scene was special after the game with the 14u parents and players rushing the court.
Tomorrow the girls will attempt one more dramatic win when they meet superpower Texas Tigers for the Division 2 National Championship. The game will be televised on ESPN 3 at noon Thurs.