Georgia State University - Atlanta, Georgia

Wednesday July 26, 2006 -  Day 4

Championship Game (Unlimited) 

Alabama Roadrunners vs. West Coast Elite

Reported by Jabari “Klapp” Glapion – 4SHOT Hoops

 

Kelsey Bone goes up to block this shot attempt by Yvonne Anderson.

West Coast Elite would face the Alabama Roadrunners for all the marbles in the culmination game of the 2006 Showtime Nationals Invitational Tournament.  Probably the most impressive team, West Coast Elite has been solid with consistent play from sophomore Kelsey Bone, Stefanie and Briana Gilbreath, Ashley Gayle, and Italee Lucas.  But with players like Courtney Ward, Kayla Melson, Yvonne Anderson, and Courtney Jones, the Roadrunners ain’t nothing to play with.  This matchup certainly had the makings of a championship caliber game.

After a slow start, the Alabama Roadrunners got on track a little quicker than their counterparts and it was evident in their play.  The Roadrunners ran the floor, attacked the boards, and just showed more overall energy.   Jones started off strong to help the Roadrunners jump out to an early 13-8 lead until West Coast Elite head coach, Kevin Morrison, said enough is enough.
 

Courtney Jones shoots a jumer over the outstretched hand of Ashley Gayle.

After an Elite timeout, you could sense a little life come into the West Coast squad.  Bone, along with 6’3 forward Monique Oliver, began to play big inside the paint racking up rebounds and showing nice footwork on the blocks.  Elite would keep thing close throughout the first half but the Roadrunners stayed a step ahead as they went into the half with a slim three point lead, 28-25.

The second half started with the same intensity that the first half ended.  Both teams played solid ball and things began to get interesting down the stretch.  Briana Gilbreath gave West Coast Elite its first lead of the game with 10:27 remaining in the second half with a three pointer from the corner to go up 44-42.  From that point on, momentum would seesaw back and forth.  Oliver continued to step up and played her best game of the tournament.With Bone out with foul trouble, Oliver was more than happy to take over inside.
 

Jones and Anderson led the way for the Roadrunners in the second half.  Jones was big inside and Anderson handled her business on the perimeter.  The Roadrunners flipped the script on Elite and pulled out a press.  And as the great guru, L.A. say, “A team that presses doesn’t like to be pressed.”  The Elite looked as if they were ready to pull away but that press kept the Roadrunners in their back pocket and it became quite evident that this one was going down to the wire. 

 

Italee Lucas tries to drive pass Kayla Melson.

Oliver was forced to leave the game with 3:14 left in the game as she fouled out with 19 points and four rebounds, but Bone returned in her place and didn’t miss a beat.  The only problem was that neither did the Roadrunners.  With 2:40 left to play, Elite went up by three off of a floater by Lucas and the Roadrunners were unable to answer as the Elite went on to increase their lead with a jump hook by Bone.  After a deep three by Ward, Bone had an answer again but went down on the play.  With one player already gone with an injury, one player fouled out, and the Roadrunners only down by four, the Elite had 1:06 to hold on to a slim four point lead.

Courtney Ward puts the ball behind her back to elude Erica Helms.

A timely three-pointer from the top of the key by Ward brought the Roadrunners within one with 34 seconds to play.  The Roadrunners then sent senior Erica Helms to the line with a one and one opportunity.  Helms was unable to convert and the Roadrunners were in business.  Anderson had her chance at the line but, like Helms, was unable to convert.  On Ward’s sixth foul, Lucas was sent to the line and calmly sank both free throws to put Elite up 70-67 with 22 seconds on the clock.  With 15 seconds left to go, the Roadrunners were forced to send Elite to the line again.  After sinking one of two, Briana Gilbreath put Elite up for good as they went on to win by the score of 71-69.  

Final Score:  West Coast Elite 71 – Alabama Roadrunners 69

 

Scoring Recap

West Coast Elite:  Monique Oliver finished with a game high 19 points along with four rebounds.  Kelsey Bone and Italee Lucas each finished with 14 points, while Bone added a team high seven boards.  Ashley Gayle wrapped things up with seven points and five rebounds.   

 

Alabama Roadrunners:  Courtney Jones finished with team highs 18 points and eight boards.  Yvonne Anderson had 14 points, while Courtney Ward and Katie Hancock each finished with 10 points.

Georgia Metros 15U vs. All-Ohio Red

Reported by Jabari “Klapp” Glapion – 4SHOT Hoops

Tyeasha Moss going in for an uncontested layup.

The first championship action of the day featured an All-Ohio Red team that had a fairly easy road up to this point and a scrappy GA Metros 15U squad that managed to make it here after faltering in earlier action.  All-Ohio Red is led by the 6’2 power forward Angela Groves.  The junior out of Cleveland, OH has led her team in scoring throughout the tournament and has been a dominant presence in the post.

The Metros feature a sophomore who will certainly be heard from in the upcoming basketball season in 5’6 guard, Tessah Holt.  Holt continues to impress with her style of play and drive on the court.  But those won’t be able to do it alone.  This matchup will boil down to what role players play their role to the fullest.

Amber Stokes taking the ball to the basket against Tessah Holt.

All-Ohio started out the gate with a press that led to three consecutive baskets off of Metro turnovers to give them an early 6-0 lead.  An early timeout by Metro head coach Cynthia Cooper would do little to help as All-Ohio extended their lead to 10 points in early first half action.  The lead would eventually get as large as 17 before the GA Metros would score again.  By then it would not matter.  Kate Popovec, a 6’4 center out of Canfield, OH led the way for All-Ohio early with six points, three boards, and two blocks along with Amber Stokes, a 5’9 guard out of Gahanna, OH.  Stokes ignited the rout with three early steals that led to three easy fast break buckets. 

GA Metros Chanee Key looking for an outlet after grabbing this rebound.

The GA Metros got some slight first half contributions from Holt and 5’10 forward, Temperance Jacobs who finished the half with seven and five points, respectively, but the half would end with the Metros down by 20, 39-19.

The second half would continue with the same type of action.  All-Ohio stayed on the glass and dominated the paint, while turnovers kept the game out of reach for the GA Metros. Papovec continued her dominance over the smaller interior players of GA Metros and finished with a double-double.  Stokes and Groves were also key contributors as All-Ohio cruised pass the Metros.

Holt shouldered the bulk of the load for the Metros as she put forth a valiant effort draining three’s and penetrating off the dribble, while Jacobs did her part but All-Ohio had far more role players play their role in the end and went on to win big to win the Gold Division title. 

Final Score:  All-Ohio Red 69 – GA Metros 15U 49

Scoring Recap

All-Ohio Red:  Kate Popevec finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.  Amber Stokes led the way with 13 points, Angela Groves, Kendal Hackney, and Jane Cox each tallied up nine points.

GA Metros 15U:  Tessah Holt had a team high 13 points, while Temperance Jacobs and Mackenzie Dalrymple each finished with 11 points.

Consolation Game (Gold Division)

Final Score:  Michigan Crossover 45 - GA Dream Team 15U 45

Scoring Recap

Michigan Crossover:  Ratoria Jones 15 points, Sharise Calhoun 10 points, and Brianna Jones eight points.

GA Dream Team 15U:  Cierra Duhart finished with a team high 14 points.

Final Score:  Alabama Lasers 72 - Essence17U 70

Scoring Recap

Alabama Lasers:  Catherine Graham 18 points, Alli Smalley 11 points, and Adrienne Webb 16 points.

Essence 17:  Tiffany Hayes 14 points, April Sykes 24 points, and Amber Smith and Chelsey Lee with eight and seven points respectively.

Consolation Game (Gold Division)

Final Score:  Dream Team 16U 45 - Comets Fusion 43

Scoring Recap

Dream Team 16U:  Cierra Duhart and Kendra Berry with 13 points apiece and Cherie White eight points.

Comets Fusion:  Ayiesha Vickers 12 points, Andrell Smith 10 points, and Jessica Bivins eight points.

Consolation Game (Unlimited Division)

Final Score:  Kenner Angels 56 - GA Nike Elite 54

Scoring Recap

Kenner Angels:  Caitlin Cleveland 10 points, Tiffany Aidoo nine points, Randi Donald 10 points, and Adrienne Johnson 17 points

GA Nike Elite:  Alex Winchell 12 points, D'Nay Daniels and Emily Clark each with nine points, Lindsey Mason 10 points, and Brittany Carter 11 points.