AAU Basketball
2008 Summer Elite Tournament
Celtics hold their own in "Big D"
Moody Coliseum on the campus of SMU - Dallas, TX
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| 4SHOT Hoops' Larry "L.A." Williams accompanied the Celtics to Dallas. |
Dallas, TX - I was graciously invited by Renardo Hudson, Director of the Wallace Prather Celtics to tag along with his 14U and 16U Lady Celtics as they hit “Big D” for the SEC Tournament (Summer Elite Championships) being held at the Moody Coliseum on the beautiful campus of SMU (Southern Methodist University) in Dallas, TX. When they say everything in Texas is big they weren’t lying; some of these girls down here are so tall and athletic that it’s unreal.
As the plane left Atlanta and pulled into Dallas Forth Worth Airport I could feel the players and coaches’ enthusiasm starting to build up but for me that quickly diminished because my luggage didn’t arrive with the rest of the teams luggage, it must have been due to the airport cutbacks. I was finally relieved and rejuvenated once I got the call from Coach Nard that my luggage had arrived.
Day 1 in “Big D”
Saturday, July 5th, 2007
14U Celtics play an exhibition game
Dallas, TX - The actual tournament games didn’t get underway until Sunday morning, however there were several exhibition games played Saturday evening and one of those games involved the 14U Celtics team against Team Tulsa Bulldogs, which was scheduled for 7:40pm.
Have you ever heard the old saying “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”, well that tells the story about the tiny but scrappy Tulsa team the Celtics had to face. Tulsa didn’t have a player over 5-10 but they sure knew how to shoot the rock.
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| Morgan DeMilio and Kiona Robinson both see the floor well when running the point. |
The Celtics got off to a slow start but behind the scoring of Breana McDonald and Brianna Banks they took the early lead. The Celtics play really didn’t start picking up until Kierra Paige, Tarlesha Boles, Terri Jacobs, Kiona Robinson and Tariah Welch hit the floor; their much needed scoring, rebounding and defensive energy helped the Celtics open up a 10 point lead 24-14 midway through the first half.
As I mentioned earlier the Tulsa players didn’t have any height but they sure knew how to shoot. 5-3, Jessica Bliss, 5-0 Gentry Blankership and 5-2 Jami Guthrie started firing bombs from long range to help Tulsa close the gap to 37-31 at the half.
The Celtics did a nice job of playing to their strengths in the second half; 6-4 Kayla Montgomery picked up her post play, Gia Banks really started getting out on the break and point guard Morgan DeMilio did a nice job of finding her open teammates as the Celtics cruised to a 65-49 tune-up victory.
Day 2 in “Big D”
Sunday July 6, 2008
No more breakfast for me
Dallas, TX - When you are on a road trip one of the things you might want to check on in the hotel is the food menu (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Also don’t be afraid to inquire if the breakfast is complimentary. If it’s not then you’d better check the prices.
Unfortunately for four of the Celtics they found out the pricey way. I didn’t want to say their names but it was funny to me when they told me on the elevator not to eat breakfast in the hotel because they had just found out that their bacon and eggs had cost them each $11.00 (lol). Needless to say I hopped in my rental car and found a McDonald’s right round the corner.
Ok, you want to know who the players were, naw, ok they were Kendra Long, Kayla Montgomery, Karrisma Boykins and Diamond Henderson. By the way they didn’t buy breakfast or any other food at the hotel after that.
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| Diamond Henderson, Kendra Long, Kayla Montgomery and Karrisma Boykins |
14U Celtics fall to DEW Elite 2012
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| DFW’s Alexis Jones (l) is undoubtedly one of top players in the Class of 2012 at this point and coming on fast is the Celtics highly touted Breana McDonald (r). |
Dallas, TX - DFW’s Alexis Jones is undoubtedly one of if not the top player in the Class of 2012 at this point and the Celtics Breana McDonald who is in the same class is quickly gaining national attention with her exploits on the floor. The two squared-off in Pool B play and really went at it.
DFW set the tone of the game early on as they double-teamed and pressured the Celtics all over the court. Jones and McDonald both scored early and displayed the skills that have college recruiters already looking to sign them up.
Now by no means were these the only two future stars of tomorrow on the court. The Celtics Brianna Banks is a high-energy player and at 6-4 with four more years to develop Kayle Montgomery could develop into a special player if she so desirers. Banks scored a pair of hoops to pull the Celtics to within four, 15-11 with 8:55 left in the half.
DFW’s Empress Davenport showed me her inside and outside game; draining a three-pointer and scoring a couple of baskets inside as DFW opened up a 19-11 lead. Moriah Jefferson is another really good-looking prospect for DFW,
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| Kierra Paige and Brianna Banks both bring a lot energy ...when they come to play |
her ball handling and ability to get to the basket just added to the Celtics youthful frustration. Jones topped off a big first half nailing a pair of three-pointers to give DFW a 31-22 halftime lead.
The turnovers and DFW’’s constant pressure really took it’s toll on the Celtics in the second half as they quickly fell behind 47-27. They never really challenged after that as DFW cruised to a convincing 55-32 victory.
Scoring Recap
DFW Elite 2012: Alexis Jones scored a game high 13 points to lead DFW. Empress Davenport added 11 and Chelsea Jennings scored 10.
WP Celtics: Brianna Banks scored 8 and Breana McDonald finished with 6 to lead the Celtics.
16U Celtics loose their rhythm
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| Kendra Long (c) scored a game high 19 for the Celtics. Alisha Andrews (l) had 11 and Diamond Henderson (r) added 8. |
Dallas, TX - It was the 16U Celtics first game of the tournament so I could understand why they didn’t really have their rhythm or was it the Lady Rhythm from Arlington, TX that was the problem. Never the less the Celtics found themselves on the short end of 58-53 upset loss.
As was the case with the 14U Celtics the 16U team started slow and quickly found themselves trailing 12-7. The Celtics Kendra Long a sharp shooting point guard who is rapidly getting her name added to a lot more recruiting list showed off her long range shooting with a pair of jumpers that put the Celtics in front 13-12 with 8:57 left in the half.
The lead didn’t last long as the Lady Rhythm behind the play of Taylor Hooker and Brandy Crawford ran off 8 straight points to regain the lead 20-13. The Celtics kept showing me glimpses of how good they really can be as they once again fought back. Diamond Henderson, who has 24kt written all over her hit a short jumper and Long drained a pair of three-pointers as the Celtics cut the lead to 24-22 heading into the half.
At the start of the second half Long drilled her third three-pointer of the game to give the Celtics a 25-24 lead. With the pace of the game picking up the Lady Rhythm got baskets from Crawford and Chancie Smith to top off a mini run that saw them take a 40-34 lead.
Alisha Andrews reminded those watching that she was coined “Showtime” a few years ago as she completed a three-point play that moved the Celtics back on top 46-44 with just over 5:00 minutes to play.
With just :36 tics left on the clock the score was tied at 53-53; a big breakway three point play by Chancie Smith put the Lady Rhythm up 56-53. Chenale Smith would hit 2 free-throws a few seconds later to seal a hard fought 58-53 win.
Scoring Recap
Lady Rhythm: Brandy Crawford scored 16 to lead the way. Alisha Filmore added 11, Chenale Smith 10 and Chancie Smith chipped in with 9.
WP Celtics: Kendra Long scored a game high 19 for the Celtics. Alisha Andrews finished with 11 and Diamond Henderson added 8.
16U Celtics bounce back
Dallas, TX - The Celtics bounced back this evening with a solid win over the Arlington Swoosh (TX) after letting a victory get away this morning against the Lady Rhythm who was also from Arlington, TX.
Alisha Andrews put the Celtics in front 8-5 when she drilled a three-pointer from the corner. On the defensive end of the floor the Celtics were really getting after the Swoosh forcing them into some untimely turnovers.
A lay-up by Karrisma Boykins gave the Celtics their largest lead of the game 18-7. Andrews and Crystal Chaney had their best halves of the tournament. Chaney scored 6 first half points and did a nice job on the boards and Andrews finished with 9 as the Celtics took a 27-16 lead into the locker room.
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| Crystal Chaney (l) and Shavkeva Richards (r) did a nice job on the boards in the win. |
The Swoosh stepped up their game in the second half behind the play of Keya Roberson, Sharral McGee and Tayla Vaughn as they cut the lead to 34-27.
The Celtics countered with Andrews, Jasmine Shaw and Shavkeva Richards. Richards started dominating the paint scoring 4 baskets and Iesha Alexander did a nice job of pushing the ball up the court and finding Shaw and Andrews on the wings. Shaw hit a pair of jumpers and Andrews drained 2 big three-pointer as the Celtics held off the Swoosh 53-43.
Scoring Recap
WP Celtics: Alisha Andrews led all scorers with a game high 15 points. Jasmine Shaw had 9, Shavkeva Richards and Crystal Chaney each finished with 8 and Nia Evans chipped in with 7.
Arlington Swoosh: Keya Roberson scored 10 points to pace the Swoosh. Sharral McGee and Tayla Vaughn each finished with 9 points.
Day 3 in “Big D”
Monday July 7, 2008
16U Celtics edge DFW Elite 2011
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| Coach Nard and DFW headman Marques Jackson share a few laughs after a big Celtics win. |
Dallas, TX - The Celtics are striving to become one of the elite girls AAU programs in the country and their win against DFW (one of the top programs in the country) was another step towards letting the players know that they can play against and beat some of the top teams around.
The Celtics fell behind early 9-4 but midway through the first half behind the play of Diamond Henderson, Crystal Chaney, Iesha Alexander and Jasmine Shaw they fought back to take a 14-13 lead.
DFW retook the lead a few minutes later on a basket by Natalie Ventress. The teams continued to battle trading baskets back and forth as the half wore on. Kyaris Johnson knocked down her second three-pointer for DFW but the Celtics countered with a three by Shaw to take a 20-18 lead into the half.
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| Nia Evans did a nice job crashing the boards on both ends of the floor. |
Henderson continued to play well for the Celtics in the second half. Nia Evans and Shakeva Richards really starting crashing the boards and Alisha Andrews scored a couple of baskets as the Celtics opened up a 39-28 lead.
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| Karrisma Boykins (l) and Alisha Andrews (r) combined for each scored 6 points in the hard fought win over DFW. |
Krystal Barrett who had a big second half for DFW knocked down a pair of three’s and De’Amber Wilhite kept forcing the action inside; she hit four free-throws as her team stormed back to cut the lead to 41-40 with 1.9 seconds left to play.
DFW had a chance to win but the Celtics tied up the ball with the arrow on the clock pointing in their direction. They were able to inbound the ball and come away with the hard fought 41-40 victory.
Scoring Recap
WP Celtics: Diamond Henderson scored 8 points to pace the Celtics. Nia Evans added 7 while Iesha Alexander, Alisha Andrews and Karrisma Boykins each finished with 6 points.
DFW Elite 2011: Krystal Barrett scored 14 points for DFW to lead all scorers. Kyaris Johnson scored 10 and De’Amber Wilhite chipped in with 6.
Louisville Elite eliminates 14U Celtics
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| 6-4 Fr.-Kayla Montgomery could develop into a special player if she so desirers. |
Dallas, TX - Just when it looked like the Celtics were starting to jell and play as a unit they opened the door for the Louisville Elite with 5 consecutive turnovers late in the game that they converted into points and walked away with a 1st round playoff game victory.
It also didn’t help that one of the Celtics top players Brianna Banks injured her ankle 1:00 minute into the game and never returned. I’m not giving the Celtics any excuses because they still had the talent to pull off a win.
For some reason the Celtics started slow in every game they played in the tournament and in the end it caught up with them. Trailing early 11-7 the Celtics scored two quick baskets; one was on a nice assist from Kiona Robinson to Tariah Welch on a fastbreak to tie the game at 11-11.
The Celtics took the lead 15-14 on baskets by Breana McDonald and Gia Banks. For some reason the Celtics Tarlesha Boles had not seen a lot of action during pool play but tonight she and Terri Jacobs were crashing the boards like it was no tomorrow to help the Celtics maintain their slight lead. Banks scored again right before the half to give the Celtics a 27-24 lead.
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| Welch provided lots of energy while Jacobs and Boles cleared the boards. |
The game was nip-and-tuck in the second half with no one wanting to seize control of the game. With just under 4:00 minutes to play the Celtics appeared to have taken control, leading 43-40 but then the wheels fell off. The Celtics turned the ball over on 5 consecutive trips down the floor and Louisville converted each of them into points to take a 50-43 lead with a little over 1:00 minute left in the game.
Banks converted a three point play to cut the lead to 52-46 with :43 seconds left but it was to little too late as Louisville ran out the clock and eliminated the Celtics by a final score of 52-46.
Scoring Recap
Louisville Elite: Paige Gauthier led Louisville Elite with 12 points, Erika LeFlore had 11, Bria Bohanon finished with 10 and Megan Buckley chipped in with 9.
WP Celtics: Breana McDonald scored 9 to lead the Celtics. Kayla Montgomery added 8, Kierra Paige 7, Terri Jacobs and Gia Banks each chipped in with 6.
16U Celtics finish strong
Dallas, TX - Unfortunately the Celtics missed out on the winner’s side of the Summer Elite Tournament bracket due to their upset loss to the Lady Rhythm earlier in pool play; but Coach Nard and his Celtics regrouped and finished the tournament with a pair of solid wins.
If you saw the Celtics play at the start of the tournament and then saw them play again at the end of the tournament you would have seen a team that knew they could win verses one that thought, maybe we can win.
In the game against Team Texas and their All-American Shanay Washington the Celtics overcame a sluggish defensive effort in the first half to take full control in the second half. This game was played in the tiny hot North Dallas H.S. gym, which was a far cry from the Moody Coliseum over at SMU. The atmosphere here was like one of those old school games played at the local YMCA between two rival Y’s, the action was fast paced and physical much to the liking of both teams.
Washington who struggled the whole game got some much needed help from teammates Amber Henson, Consolo Palmer and Tatjona Haynes as Team Texas took an early lead. The physical play in the paint really appeared to be just what the doctor ordered for Nia Evans, Shakeva Richards and Eliza Bryant as the Celtics started taking control of the boards.
The fast paced physical action also agreed with all of the Celtics guards, especially Diamond Henderson, Alisha Andrews, Iesha Alexander and Kendra Long as they pushed the ball up the floor every chance they got.
Palmer hit a couple of hoops for Team Texas right before the half to give her team a 23-20 halftime lead.
The Celtics turned up the heat in second half on both ends of the floor and Henderson and Jasmine Shaw start taking the ball to the hole as the Celtics surged into the lead. Washington continued to struggle and appeared to be having problems with her right knee, which she already had a knee brace on. Alexis Hyder and Haynes continued to carry Team Texas as they scored 12 of the teams 19-second half points.
Back to back steals and baskets by Henderson late in the game sealed the deal for the Celtics as they went on to a solid 52-42 win. Later on that evening the Celtics would win another consolation game to end the tournament on a good note.
Scoring Recap: WP Celtics: Diamond Henderson and Alisha Andrews both scored 9 points to lead the Celtics. Jasmine Shaw and Nia Evan each finished with 8 and Kendra Long chipped in with 7.
Team Texas: Alexis Hyder scored a game high 10 points for Team Texas. Tatjona Haynes added 9 and Amber Henson finished with 8.
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