13U Nationals Tournament – Day Five – Firecrackers Finish Runner-Up
After the final the 13U Firecrackers team poses with the DII National Runner-Up Trophy. After a fairytale run through the tournament the Firecrackers came up just short, losing 63-43 to the Texas Tigers.
Back Row: Coach Doug Adams, Casey Simpson, Alexis Redmond, Victoria Lus, Ashley Storey, Sam Sparda, Coach Brian Clement
Front Row: Abby Hamilton, Camille Giardina, Bailey Adams, Sara Clement, Ashley Briggs, Katie McCrum
13u Maine Firecrackers Slip in Championship Game, Finish Second at AAU D2 Nationals.
The remarkable run by the 8th grade Maine Firecrackers flamed out yesterday when they lost to the Texas Tigers in the D2 National Championship game 63-43.
Camille Giardina got the Firecrackers on the board first with a great no- look assist by soul sister Sarah Clement. Next, rising star Ashley Storey grabbed an offensive rebound and kissed it off the glass. On the ensuing possession Storey found Sarah Clement at the top of the key for a 3 pointer and after a spectacular left hand finish and foul shot by Bailey Adams of Scarborough, the Firecrackers trailed 15-9 at the end of one.
Clement and Giardina combined for 9 points in the second quarter and Katie McCrum added 2 foul shots but the Tigers continued to score inside and out against the Firecrackers normally stodgy defense and the score was 30-23 at halftime.
The Maine girls started the 3rd with pressure defense that led to steals by Katie McCrum and Camille Giardina followed by two quick baskets from Giardina. Offensively, the Mainers had mixed success against the Tigers zone defense but committed to pounding the ball inside to the post. McAuley bound Vic Lux had a big half second with 10 points and Storey added another 4, but with three quarters in the books the score was 47-37 Texas.
The Firecrackers cut the lead to 3 in the 4th but sharpshooter Kara Masselona hit four shots in a row to extend the lead. With 3 minutes left in the game the lead was 12 but the Firecrackers couldn’t make a dent and were forced to foul. The Tigers shot 17-22 from the line for the game and 6-8 down the stretch while the Firecrackers made just 8-16 for the game.
Giardina and Lux led the scoring with 13 each, Storey had 8, seventh grader Sarah Clement had 7, while Katie “K Sword” McCrum and Sam “Bonecrusher” Sparda defended at a very high level while hustling all over the court for loose balls. Abby Hamilton played well overall but the Tigers did a good job of covering she and Clement at the 3 point line. Casey Simpson and Alexa Redmond also did well in limited action.
The Firecrackers were slighted on a number of occasions because they were from Maine but the slights proved very motivational as they adopted a “Band of Sisters” mentality which led to inspired play. The Maine team was smaller and less athletic than many of the 61 teams but competed hard and was the more aggressive team most of the week. Opponents continuously underestimated the size of their hearts.
The Firecrackers remarkable run at AAU Nationals is believed to be the highest finish ever by a Maine team and was a function of great team defense, committed teammates, and unusual desire…
For the week at Nationals the dynamic guard combination of Giardina and Clement averaged 13 points each and combined for 7 assists per game, Lux was a force inside averaging 7 points and 9 rebounds, Storey averaged 7 points and 4 blocks per game, while Katie McCrum showed why she is going to be a special high school player with her speed and athleticism. Sam Sparda was her normal intense and aggressive self on the boards and outplayed bigger post players all week with grit and desire. Bailey Adams of Scarbororough played super defense and made some huge plays a critical times, while Casey Simpson (Casco) and Alexis Redmond (Westbrook) provided great energy and hustle all week.
The team finished the year 40-4 while frequently playing up one or two age divisions, knocked off the Tennessee, Maryland, and Connecticut State Champs, and won the Maine State Championship playing up an age division. Overall the Nationals experience was incredible for the Maine kids and they will savor the runner up National Champion finish the rest of their lives.
The team and Coaches Brian Clement and Doug Adams are grateful for the outpouring of support from so many Mainers that reached out to support them and also wanted to thank all the parents, Michelle Bailey, and Hannaford Bros for their generosity.
Coach Clement joked that there was so much support flowing from Maine he resorted to putting his phone in the freezer because it was overheating from all the texts and phone calls.
Maine girls’ basketball is on the rise and Maine has one of the most supportive girls’ basketball communities in the Country.
Thank you to Maine for producing such special young ladies.