Firecrackers Roll at Fall D1 Showcase
A combination team of Firecracker Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen rolled to a 4-0 record at a showcase, held this past weekend at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA and attended by over 100 D1, D2, and D3 coaches.
In the first game against the Albany Capitals Olivia Shaw started hot with 4 first half baskets as the post play of Olivia Smith, Nina Davenport, Ashley Storey, and Victoria Lux dominated the boards, often finding Allie Clement in stride with outlet passes. Clement (6 assists) in turn found several Firecrackers hustling down the court for layups as the Maine girls jumped to a 37-17 first half lead. Good ball movement and solid rebounding continued in the second half as all eleven players scored. Allie Clement led all scorers with 15 points, followed by Olivia Shaw (6 rebounds) with 12, Davenport and Olivia Smith with 8 points and 8 rebounds, Lux with 7, Alisha Starbird and Olivia Dalphonse 4 each, and single baskets by Sarah Clement, Storey, Abby Hamilton, and Jess Willerson. Interestingly, the Firecrackers did not make a 3 in this game while Albany connected on 6 but the Firecracker size and speed were too much as they cruised to a 67-32 win.
The second game was a mismatch agains the Northeast Lady Panthers. Despite playing halfcourt defense only, not allowing fast breaks in the second half, and requiring multiple passes before shooting, the Firecrackers rolled to a 69-18 victory. All 11 players once again scored with Allie Clement leading with 14, Shaw and Alisha Starbird, with 9 a piece, Storey with 8, Davenport with 7, Lux and Sarah Clement 5 each, Smith and Hamilton 4 each, while Dalphonse and Willerson each added a basket.
In Game 3 against the Connecticut Premier, Victoria Lux made the most of her starting opportunity by dominating early play in the paint. Lux had 9 first half points, 6 of which were on offense rebounds. Allie Clement had 11 points along with 4 first half steals, while Nina Davenport pounded the glass and had an outstanding defensive effort. At halftime, the Firecrackers led 36-23. Olivia Shaw and Sarah Clement each hit 3 balls early in the second half, while Storey and Olivia Smith were too much for the Premier to handle inside. Lux continued her great effort in the second half, ending with a game high 18 points, as the Firecrackers finished as convincing 60-37 winners. Allie Clement finished with 11 and Olivia Shaw 9. Storey, Davenport, and Sarah Clement all scored 5, Olivia Smith 4 and 7 rebounds, Hamilton nailed a long jumper, with Dalphonse adding a foul shot to go along with 3 assists and solid guard play.
Game 4 was a rematch against the Connecticut Cobra’s, who beat the Firecrackers in a tight and physical contest in July. The Maine girls came out with a bounce in the steps and jumped to an 8-2 lead after a great catch and finish by Ashley “Stretch” Storey, 2 pull up jump shots by Allie Clement, and 4 foul shots by Olivia Smith. Once again, the game got physical and the Firecrackers got to the foul line 16 times, cashing in on 14 of them. Olivia Smith alone was 9-10 and also impressed the coaches in attendance by laying out several times for loose balls. The Firecracker defense was excellent as they held CT to just 6 field goals with the halftime score 33-14. Olivia Dalphonse and Sarah Clement were a formidable combination on defense, causing 4 turnovers leading to baskets on the offensive end. After a Starbird 3 and baskets by Storey, Willerson, and Davenport the lead extended to 25 and the Firecrackers went on to win 58-37. Allie Clement again led the scoring parade with 16 points, Olivia Smith knocked in 13 hard earned points with 9 rebounds, Lux finished with 9 and 13 rebounds, Storey and Davenport 4 each, 3 from Shaw and Starbird, and 2 each from Jess Willerson, Abby Hamilton, and Sarah Clement. Once again, Davenport was a force on defense while the Firecracker bigs (Storey, Smith, Lux, Davenport, and Willerson) outrebounded the Cobra’s by a wide margin.
At each of the games the Firecrackers attracted large numbers of coaches as the reputation of the program grows in New England and beyond.