Firecrackers at National Showcase in Tennessee – Pool Play

Firecrackers 2-0 After Day 1

A strong defensive effort and some timely scoring got the Maine Firecrackers out of the gate with a 38-35 win against Team Takeover (MD) in their first pool play game at the Battle of the Boro in Tennessee Wednesday. Playing without standout post-players Victoria Lux and Ashley Storey due to injuries, Abby Hamilton and Margarey Rigney each hit early jump-shots as the Firecrackers jumped out to a 9-4 lead. After some early turnovers, Olivia Dalphonse, Sarah Clement, and Hamilton patiently moved the ball against the Takeover’s half court trap and got the ball in the middle to Katie McCrum and rising star Emily “Pup” Esposito, who both did a great job finding Jess Willerson in the post, and open perimeter players on the wings. At halftime the girls from Maryland led 22-20, but the Firecrackers played outstanding second half defense, and limited their opponents to just 13 points. With 3 minutes left in the game, the Firecrackers trailed by one, but a Willerson power lay-up on a nifty Sarah Clement assist, a highlight-worthy left hand reverse lay-up in traffic by Dalphonse, and a pull-up jumper by McCrum after Takevoer baskets had the Firecrackers clinging to a one point lead. Allie Clement, playing limited minutes after a four month injury absence, was intentionally fouled and cooly sank both free throws with 18 seconds remaining and then stole the ball before the Takeover could get a shot off, and the final was 38-35. This was a total team effort on both sides of the ball. Willerson did an outstanding job in the post and finished with 8 points, Hamilton had 7, Sarah Clement 5, Dalphonse, Rigney, and Allie Clement 4, and Esposito 2 while contributing lots of solid minutes.

The second game was against the Cinncinati Heat and Abby Hamilton started out hot again, with 3 first half bombs, but the Firecrackers trailed 20-16 nevertheless. Halftime lasted 20 minutes due to water leaking on the floor from a severe thunder storm, but it proved to be a blessing as the Mainers opened on a 19-2 run in the second half. The Clement sisters got it going early, as Sarah hit a 3 and pull-up jumper and Allie drained her own 3, then beat all traffic to the rim for another basket, extending the lead to 13, before the Heat went on their own run and cut the lead to 7. A gorgeous Katie McCrum rainmaker 3 ball extended it back to 10, however. This one got a little dicey late, but McCrum and Sarah Clement each hit 2 foul shots to seal the deal and the Fireceackers won 41-33. In attendance for the end of the game were Muffet McGraw from Notre Dame and Brenda Frese from Maryland, among several others. This was also a total team effort as Sarah Clement led with 10 points, Allie added 8 playing only 9 minutes, McCrum played outstanding defense against the Heat’s best player and added 7 points, Hamilton stepped up for her team by battling much bigger players in the post and scoring 6, Dalphonse and Willerson(7 rebounds) each had 4, and Emily Esposito added a nice jump shot while snagging 5 reboudnds.

Battle of the Boro features many of the countries top AAU teams and over 200 division I coaches. The Firecrackers finish pool play tomorrow morning against the Georgia Pistols and their 6’3″ heavily recruited center. Like most AAU tournaments, only the top 2 teams advance out of pool play while the others play off to determine the best of the bottom half.

Firecrackers Advance To Gold Division Playoffs With 3-0 Pool Play Record

For the the first time in Tennessee the Maine Firecrackers (Clement) got off to a slow start and quickly found themselves in a 7-2 hole. The Pistols heavily recruited 6’3″ center (head coach Andy Landers of Georgia watched the game) made her prescence felt. In the first 4 minutes, the Mainers were only able to manage a Jess Willerson basket on a nice Olivia Dalphonse assist. Allie Clement came off the bench and provided a spark with 10 quick points in her short duty to spark the team, however. Allie and Willerson scored 18 of the teams first half points, good enough for a 22-18 lead. Dalphonse and Sarah Clement combined for 5 assists midway through the game, but it was the disciplined halfcourt Firecracker defense responsible for the lead.

In the second half the offensive torch was passed to Sarah Clement (3 long 3’s) and Katie McCrum, who blew by the Pistols highly recruited center and finished high to extend the lead to 40-26. The Pistols made a late run after connecting on 2 three balls, cutting the lead to 9, but Dalphonse had a brilliant assist, driving baseline to a wide open McCrum from 18 feet.

Sarah Clement put a nail in the coffin with a three two feet behind the circle and the Firecrackers rolled to a 49-33 victory.

The story of this game was tremendous team defense, and the Firecracker guards ability to handle the intense defensive pressure of the Pistols. Rising sophomore Jess Willerson is maturing in front of our eyes with smart and physical defense against the Pistols star post player. Freshman Emily Esposito, still waiting for her last baby teeth to fall out, showed what a special competitor she is, by holding down the fort against much older and bigger players while Willerson got some well deserved rest. Abby Hamilton again stepped up and played gutsy and determined post defense for her team and the Firecracker defense frustrated the Pistols throughout the game.

Sarah Clement played her best game of the tournament handling the tenacious full court pressure and leading the team with 14 points (3 threes) and 3 assists. Sister Allie again only played roughly 1/3 of the game, but provided a much needed spark with 13 points (matching her sister with 3 threes) and good a calming influence. Willerson held the Pistols star center to 10 points and she scored 8 of her own with 8 boards, Hamilton continued her good shooting with 8, and McCrum added 4. Margaret Rigney continues her solid play and contributed 3 blocked shots.

Tonight the team plays an exhibition game against Hoopstars Basketball Club before being seeded for playoffs beginning Friday. It has been a somewhat surprising run for the team given the absence of standout bigs Ashley Storey and Victoria Lux but further evidence that fundamental and unselfish play can be a great equalizer as opponents continue to underestimate the Maine girls.