US JUNIOR NATIONALS--WASHINGTON, DC - July 21-25
       Game 1 vs Next Play of Virginia: Poor game offensively as 16 Red never got into a flow and lost 55-43. Jen Ruys (Lyman Hall) had 9 points, 3 blocks and 4 rebounds, Alexis Vazquez (Berlin) had 10 points but overall the team was unusually quiet from the field and our opponents were never really threatened in the game.
       Game 2 vs NYC Heat: This was a rematch of game at Penn State that the Heat won by 6. The Heat would eventually win our pool with a 5-0 record and they showed why early as their press got them out to a stunning 27-4 lead. The Starters fought back with a 20-0 run to cut the lead to 27-24 and the game went back and forth from that point on. But in the end, we ended up losing 60-54 to the Heat. Elise Chase ( Rockville) had 5 rebounds and two blocks, and two steals. Sarah Benedetti (Canton) who was came to DC "on loan" from 15 Red, led the way with 15 points and 4 rebounds.
       Game 3 vs Illinois Hustle: 16 Red was in control and had a 10 point lead with about 6 minutes to go. However, we let the lead slip away and couldn't make the plays down the stretch to win. Defense and rebounding were the keys as the Hustle won 58-53. Damika Martinez (Platt) had 15 points and 9 rebounds, Alexys Vazquez (Berlin) had 12 points, Lindsay Karle (Lyman Hall) had 9 points Amanda Cormier (Wethersfield) was 4-4 from the line and had 2 assists and 3 offensive rebounds.
       Game 4 vs Pittsburgh Heat: After starting 0-3 in Washington the team was looking for a win and an emotional lift; unfortunately the first half was in a word "lousy". Dropped balls, missed layups, wild shots...everything went wrong. The halftime talk started with consolation and turned to unbridled anger as the team was urged to perform better and play up to their potential. The beginning of the second half did not begin well as the opposition scored 4 quick points to increase their lead to 17. Coach just coached and the team played hard; slowly, Damika Martinez(Platt) and Alexys Vazquez (Berlin) warmed up as the Red crept back into the game, cutting the deficit to single digits. Vazquez' fifth "3" of the half with 9 seconds left made it a one point game. A missed free throw and an intentional foul by Pittsburgh left us with a prayer and just 0.7 seconds on the clock. Vaquez threw a long pass that found a wide open Sarah Benedetti( Canton) who actually got off a shot that hit the rim before bouncing out. Almost. If the shot had gone, in we would have hugged Benedetti like we had just won the national championship. Jen Ruys (Lyman Hall) went 3-5 and finished with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Sara Kelley (Newtown) scored 8 points and added 2 assists, while Lindsay Karle (Lyman Hall) went 3-5 and scored 7 points with 2 assists. Unfortunately (and unusual for us) is that we shot 6-12 from the free throw line in a game we lost 60-59.
       Game 5 vs Colorado Rockies: The last game of the year was a battle of two good teams, that were nonetheless both 0-4 in the tournament, both looking for that "feel good win" so everyone could go home on a good note. The Rockies had lost 3 of their games by a total of 5 points. Good first half from a fans perspective as the Rockies went into halftime up 28-27. Our outside shooters were not warm except for Sarah Benedetti (Canton) who knocked down a pair of three pointers. Damika Martinez (Platt) picked up the slack by going into the post and getting nice feeds from Lindsay Karle (Lyman Hall) and Sara Kelley (Newtown), who each had 4 assists. Martinez had 13 first half points, single-handedly keeping 16 Red in the game. The second half saw some inspired defense as Kelley, Jen Ruys (Lyman Hall) and Elise Chase (Rockville) led the effort that only allowed 22 second half points, while 16 Red scored 45 and won going away 73-50. Starting the surge was Alexys Vazquez (Berlin) who hit her first three of the game on her way to 11 second half points. Ruys finished the run with a 3 of her own and combined with Martinez's 30 points and 9 rebounds, the 16 Red went home with a much needed victory.
       Another season for coaches Lewis and Medeiros ends and, like last year, we end with a win!! The coaches would like to thank the players and parents for all of their support throughout the season.

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