Maine Hoops State Tournament (14th/15th Apr)

Both 6th and 7th grade Firecracker teams played-up a grade in the Maine Hoopes State tournament this weekend. Firecrackers Ingegneri won the 7th grade title and Firecrackers Hart lost narrowly in the final of the 8th grade chmapionships.

The 6th grade Firecrackers continue to play up an age level as they captured the 7th Grade Maine Hoops State Tournament. The pool play consisted of playing two different A.O.B. teams, winning 25-15 in their first game and 27-24 in their second game. Alex Hart and Emily Weisser led the team in scoring while Emily McNally and Natalie Taylor played intense defense. The final was a rematch of the Y.B.O.A. championship game against the 7th Grade Blue Wave team. Both teams were extremely tired after playing three games in one day, but the Firecrackers were able to push through fatigue and pull out a 38-36 victory. Alex Hart put on a show with 23 points while breaking the full court press time and time again. Kat Kane had 8 points and helped hold down the rebounds. The team really relied on their intense half court man to man defense which was once again led by Emily McNally and Natalie Taylor. Heidi Meyers, Sophie Glidden and Emily Jefferds provided valuable minutes off the bench. Emily Weisser was all over the court reading passing lanes and disturbing the Blue Waves offense. The Firecrackers showed incredible heart and came together at the end with great box outs against a much bigger team which helped sealed the championship.

Firecrackers Hart won out easily in pool play defeating Blue Wave 39-14 and a Central Maine Hoops team 43-25. In both games their defence was simply too organized and aggresive for the other teams to handle. This led to numerous transition opportunities, which this team thrives on. In the final they played the Maine Hoops Elite team which was unbeaten this season. As has been the case this year, when they have played the better 8th grade teams, it has come down to their half-court execution. In the end they played the Hoops team tough, but could not quite generate enough offence to win, losing 33-39.