15 Red- Future Stars - July 11-12, 2009
       15 Red started their first game of their final weekend against a tough seventeen year old team called Team Noah. The Starters played hard and tried to match the strength and size of Team Noah, but it was too large of a task for the Starters. The deficit was nine at the half, but the Starters kept fighting. Megan Roux played a great game with 10 points and some very solid defense. Sarah Benedetti led all scoring with 22 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds giving her another double-double on the season. Benedetti also played a strong game on the defensive end with 4 blocks and 5 steals. Despite the excellent effort in the second half from 15 Red, they were unable to cut into the lead and lost the game, 61-50.
       The New York Pride was the second seventeen year old team for the day, but 15 Red was ready for the challenge. In order for the Starters to have a chance at victory their defense needed to be strong and the offense consistent. The score went back and forth in the first half with both teams playing tough defense. Thankfully, Ashley Kinney scored the first six points that really kept the Starters in the game early. At the half the Pride had a one point led over the Starters. 27-26. The second half was a battle for every possession. Sarah Benedetti came up big with twenty-five points, ten rebounds, four steals, and five blocks. Loren Pachesa ran the offense and found the open teammate ranking up four assists and also chipped in with five points. At the end of the game the Starters came out on top with a three point victory over a very good N.Y. Pride team. The final score was 50-47.
       Sunday morning started very early against a team from Ottawa, Canada. Apparently, the 8 am game was too early for the Starters because they played like they were still in bed. 15 Red managed to hang around in the first half leading by five, 25-20. Unfortunately, the second half did not fare so well for 15 Red. The Starters led by ten at one point, but were then unable to score in the last two minutes. The Ottawa Guardsman took full advantage and went on a run leaving the Starters behind by 8. Tara Higgins played her best defense of the season and did what she could to help lead her team to victory. Sarah Raftery did a nice job on both ends of the floor scoring four points and pulling down five rebounds. Sarah Benedetti did what she could scoring 25 points, but it was not enough. The Starters feel to Ottawa 48-41.
       The 15 Red played their final game together against the Quebec Lynx, the fourth seventeen year- old team of the weekend. Again, for the fourth time over the weekend, the Starters were outmatched by size. The game was very evenly matched over the first half and the Starters found themselves down only two, 22-20. The second half was intense with every possession more important than the one before. Jessica Frawley played an outstanding game scoring 10 points and playing some tough defense. Taryn Roy caught fire at the most important time hitting three shots, pulling down eight rebounds, and making all four of her free throws in the last three minutes. Sarah Benedetti scored 24 points and pulled down ten rebounds. Kerri Stolle played another solid game pulling down five rebounds and three assists. Kerri also hit the clutch shot with seconds left on the clock to tie the game and put the game into overtime. The rules were that overtime was sudden death and had to score two points. The ball was thrown up and Benedetti tipped it to Megan Roux who attacked the basket and got fouled. Roux stepped to the line and drilled both shots for the second time this season pulling her team to their final victory together this season. It was an amazing conclusion to an amazing season. Final score was 53-51.
       15 Red finished the season 31-12. The Starters had a great season and really grew as a team but also as individuals. We wish you all the best of luck in your high school seasons and hope that the rest of your summer is enjoyable. Thank you to the parents for their help in making this a positive and productive season.

       14 Red finished 1-3 in the Adidas Challenge held in Hillburn, New York. It is the first time that they have finished under 500 in a tournament this year, but with a little luck they could have finished 2-2. The first game on Saturday afternoon was versus the Maryland Shooting Stars. We did hold a 5-4 lead early in the game; but the rest was a blur. It was by far the best team that we have played this Spring. They had a girl who was tall and only in the 7th grade. The final score was 62-25. The team was led by Cassidy Caravella (Suffield Academy) with 12 points. Chelsea Foster (Avon HS) also hit 2 three pointers and finished with 6.
       The second game of the day saw us play the CT Wave who finished 4th in the CT State D1 Tournament. The first half was very close as we only trailed by the score of 21-20 at the half. The second half saw us go into an offensive slump and only score ten points as we lost by the score of 47-30. AJ Levy (Maloney HS) scored 4 on 4-6 from the free throw line. Cassidy Caravella scored 10 and was 6-8 from the line, while Kristen Van Gilst (Lewis Mills HS) was very active and had many rebounds.
       The first game on Sunday saw us play the NY Baseline. Neither team brought their shot to the gym with them as we led 12-10 at the half. It was close the whole second half. Olivia Sutherland (Lyman Hall HS) hit 3-5 from the line when the team needed her as she had a total of 5 for the game. AJ Levy played another strong game and finished with a game high 8. Ashley Petrarca (Taft School) and Claire Lang (Rocky HIll HS) did very well in our match-up zone. The final score was 25-19; more of a football score, but a good win nonetheless.
       The last game of the tournament saw us play the LI Lightning. We played a sloppy first half and trailed 22-14 at the half. We made a little comeback but lost by the score of 51-44. Cassidy Caravella scored 11 and AJ Levy scored a game high 12. She had a great weekend and will be sorely missed at the D2 Nationals. Kayleigh Shaughnessy (Fermi HS) scored a basket on a beautiful post move, while Brie McClelland (Mercy HS) turned in a fine game on defense.
       The teams record is now 19-12. We will practice twice to prepare for the D2 Nationals in Hampton, Virginia. The tough competition will only help us next week. I hope that you saw enough of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Girls, be ready for practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week. We must fine tune and tweak some things on offense and defense. We will have ten players for the tournament as Gabby Desisto will be back and Rachel Franzlubbers from 14 Blue will be helping us out for the tournament.

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