Sparks Finish 11th at the Penn State USA Invitational
Saturday, July 24, 2010 Tournaments
The Saratoga Sparks 16U team traveled to State College PA this past week and finished up their 2010 campaign by finishing 11th out of the 64 teams in the Southern Bracket of the Bluechip USA Invitational Tournament. The Sparks finished with a 4-2 record while turning the heads of many college coaches.
Niskayuna’s Ashley McCaughan, Shenendehowa’s Megan Rogers and Mandi Edick and Queensbury’s Alexis Perryman were all named game MVP’s.
The week was terrific for the Sparks who spent much of the season being haunted by their coach about the importance of winning the first game of the tournament. Pressure was applied at every practice and a website was created as a constant reminder that winning the first game at Penn State would split the tournament field in half, assuring the Sparks games against the best competition in their bracket.
Niskayuna’s Ashley McCaughan, Shenendehowa’s Megan Rogers and Mandi Edick and Queensbury’s Alexis Perryman were all named game MVP’s.
The week was terrific for the Sparks who spent much of the season being haunted by their coach about the importance of winning the first game of the tournament. Pressure was applied at every practice and a website was created as a constant reminder that winning the first game at Penn State would split the tournament field in half, assuring the Sparks games against the best competition in their bracket.
The pressure paid dividends, not only did the Sparks beat Spain 41-29 in the first round, but they dumped the PA Thunder 57-37 in the second game on their way to securing a 4-2 tournament record and an 11th place finish.
There were several outstanding performances during the six game tourney. Niskayuna’s Ashley McCaughan, Shenendehowa’s Megan Rogers and Mandi Edick and Queensbury’s Alexis Perryman were all named game MVP’s. Putting individual efforts aside, it was a complete team effort. The guard play of McCaughan, Cohoes’s Bailei Tetrault, Scotia’s Kalia Sanboeuf and Shenendehowa’s Maggie Smith produced scoring opportunities and applied pressure defense in every game. They were the sparks that started the engine.
Cohoes’s Danielle Beauchamp, and Scotia’s Danielle Conley were able to contribute at multiple positions providing scoring, rebounding and fast break opportunities that more often then not provided the Sparks with leads or slammed the door shut on their opponents.
Burnt Hill’s Junior Kelly Maher played the best ball of the season at Penn State providing solid defense and much needed rebounding. The post was covered between Ballston Spa’s Taylor Whyte and Shaker’s Mallory Dickson. The two battled in every game and gave the Sparks the strength in the middle that was necessary to make a successful run at Penn State.
Over all the week was fantastic. The Sparks played great and displayed confidence in themselves and their teammates that turned the heads of many college coaches watching. As the coaching staff stressed all season, “College coaches are looking for players that display a love and respect for the game, their teammates and themselves, players that a college coach would want to spend four years with" shared Coach Fazio. “I’m certain that there are coaches this morning preparing letters of interest with their names on them. In our last game together against the Hunterdon United, every player scored and it was a complete team victory, it should serve as a great memory for you of this team and its many accomplishments. You were all presented with a great opportunity this season to shine and you all made the most of it, particularly this past week.” shared Coach Turner
Coach’s Note:
I would also like to thank each of your parents for their support of this team. The "TEAM" concept did not end with the players. It carried off the court, and on to the streets. It was refreshing to watch your parents enjoy the success of the team and not just focus on individual accomplishments. If you haven't done so... they deserve a big hug and an "I love you" After all, I hugged most of them Wednesday night at Champs during the team party so it wouldn't kill you to hug them as well.
There were several outstanding performances during the six game tourney. Niskayuna’s Ashley McCaughan, Shenendehowa’s Megan Rogers and Mandi Edick and Queensbury’s Alexis Perryman were all named game MVP’s. Putting individual efforts aside, it was a complete team effort. The guard play of McCaughan, Cohoes’s Bailei Tetrault, Scotia’s Kalia Sanboeuf and Shenendehowa’s Maggie Smith produced scoring opportunities and applied pressure defense in every game. They were the sparks that started the engine.
Cohoes’s Danielle Beauchamp, and Scotia’s Danielle Conley were able to contribute at multiple positions providing scoring, rebounding and fast break opportunities that more often then not provided the Sparks with leads or slammed the door shut on their opponents.
Burnt Hill’s Junior Kelly Maher played the best ball of the season at Penn State providing solid defense and much needed rebounding. The post was covered between Ballston Spa’s Taylor Whyte and Shaker’s Mallory Dickson. The two battled in every game and gave the Sparks the strength in the middle that was necessary to make a successful run at Penn State.
Over all the week was fantastic. The Sparks played great and displayed confidence in themselves and their teammates that turned the heads of many college coaches watching. As the coaching staff stressed all season, “College coaches are looking for players that display a love and respect for the game, their teammates and themselves, players that a college coach would want to spend four years with" shared Coach Fazio. “I’m certain that there are coaches this morning preparing letters of interest with their names on them. In our last game together against the Hunterdon United, every player scored and it was a complete team victory, it should serve as a great memory for you of this team and its many accomplishments. You were all presented with a great opportunity this season to shine and you all made the most of it, particularly this past week.” shared Coach Turner
Coach’s Note:
I would also like to thank each of your parents for their support of this team. The "TEAM" concept did not end with the players. It carried off the court, and on to the streets. It was refreshing to watch your parents enjoy the success of the team and not just focus on individual accomplishments. If you haven't done so... they deserve a big hug and an "I love you" After all, I hugged most of them Wednesday night at Champs during the team party so it wouldn't kill you to hug them as well.