Firecracker’s Success at Maine AAU Championship Continues
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Firecrackers Clement 9th Grade Team
Front Row: Katie McCrum, Olivia Dalphonse, Bailey Adams, Abby Hamilton, Casey Simpson
Back Row: Brian Clement (Coach), Sara Clement, Sam Sparda, Margaret Rigney, Ashley Strorey, Victoria Lux, Jess Willerson, Elizabeth Donato, Doug Adams (Assistant Coach)
The Maine Firecrackers enjoyed another successful weekend at the Maine AAU State Chamionships. They won titles in the 4th, 6th and 10th grade divisions.
The 4th grade Firecrackers, coached by Steve Huntington, captured the AAU title in their age category by defeating the Blue Wave in the final game, 35-17. The young Firecrackers played intense full court defense causing numerous turnovers leading to easy baskets. Maggie Whitmore, Madison Blanche, and Jacqui Hamilton played well in the post while Brooke Obar, Emily Huntington, Camille Clement, and Aisling Flaherty had multiple assists to open teammates. Lexi Mittelstadt, Julz Colby, and Bella Dickinson displayed their athleticism well on both ends of the court. With this win, Firecracker Huntington extends their record to 7-0, with 3 games being played against older teams.
The 6th grade Firecrackers won the AAU State Tournament in their age group going undefeated in their pool and defeating the YES team in the final 28-20. Alex Hart and Emily Weisser carried the team throughout the tournament, while Grace Soucy was a scoring machine. The Firecrackers were tested in the semi-final against the BlueWave-Blue team and their 1-2-2 half court zone defense, but were able to move the ball and prevail. Natalie Taylor, Emily McNally, Heidi Meyers and Sophie Glidden played tremendous pressure defense and provided great energy. Grace Dimmick helped hold down the defensive rebounds while Emily Jefferds did a little bit of everything. Candice Powers and Kat Kane, although out with injuries, contributed by helping coaches Joe Ingegneri and Mike Seltzer with strategy and in-game statistics.
Special mention must also be made of the 7th grade Firecrackers. After winning their age group the last 2 years, this year they played up in the 8th grade division. They gained valuable experience, losing narrowly to two very experienced and talented older opponents
The 9th grade Firecrackers won the 10th grade AAU State Championship today with a decisive 60-41 victory over the CRD Warriors with a great all around team effort. In pool play Friday and Saturday, the women in orange defeated MB Nation 45-39, Icebreakers 44-39, and CRD Warriors 39 -31. With Sarah Clement unable to play due to injury, Ashley Briggs played down in her age group and stepped up in a big way on both sides of the ball to help her teammates advance through pool play, but the team never fired on all cylinders as they adjusted to 4 new players and early season rust. Nonetheless, by going 3-0 in pool play, the Firecrackers entered as the 1 seed and set up a rematch of last years state championship.
In last year’s final, Coach Clement’s team prevailed by 4 in an intense and physical contest. The battle for this year’s AAU Championship would have to be waged this year without 3 starters from last year. Camille Giardina (moved to Florida and making a huge splash), Briggs (prior commitment), and Clement (injury) would not be available, but veterans Lux, Storey, McCrum, Adams, and Sparda set the tone early. The Firecrackers came out with great intensity and aggressiveness. Newcomer Olivia Dalphonse did an excellent job manning the point and working with Bailey Adams and McCrum to break the Warriors press while Lux (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Storey (10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) continue to feed off each other with stellar post play. Sam Sparda brought her normal defensive intensity and was assisted by Jess Willerson (6 rebounds) in the post. Guard play from Katie McCrum (6 points and 5 assists), Olivia Dalphonse (10 points, 5 assists), “Bigfoot” Bailey Adams (8-10 from the foul line), and Abby Hamilton (5 points) was outstanding, while Elizabeth Donato played her best game as a Firecracker with 4 steals and 4 points to go along with excellent defense. Casey Simpson played with her normal heart and unselfishness and Margaret Rigney contributed key minutes as well.
The Firecrackers led 31-19 at the halfway point and extended their lead with excellent hustle, aggressive defense, and unselfish team play.