EVENT UPDATES

6TH GRADE BOYS LEAGUE, THE GYM SPRINGFIELD, IL
The girls finished with a record of 8-2 in the 6th grade boys league, losing a close one in the championship game. Their only two losses were against the Franklin 6th Grade boys. Playing against the speed and quickness helped the team become an even better defensive team. It also forced the girls to look for the open outside shot, since getting to the basket was difficult.

SWARM SPRING TOURNAMENT ST. LOUIS, MO
The girls took first place in this event, winning the championship game by a mere seven points. The team was a little rusty but the girls hustle and defense ended up being the difference in the tournament.

USSSA PEORIA, IL
The girls played up in the 7th grade division for this event and ended up losing the championship game rather decisively. Short in numbers the girls battled extremely hard, however, the other team’s size and athleticism proved to be a little too much to handle. Once again the team was reminded that we need to have some outside scoring to be effective against older and bigger players.

AYBT MAY SPRINGFIELD, IL
The team went 3-0 in this event, playing Highly Skilled teams at their grade level. The games were not close as the girls proved they are one of the top teams at their age. The team was able to accomplish anything they wanted both offensively and defensively.

AYBT JUNE SPRIGFIELD, IL
In this five game event the team played up in the 7th grade division and actually played an 8th grade team as well. They went 5-0 against this older competition. The teams’ defense has improved even further, if that’s possible, and their tenacity ended up being the difference in several of the games.

USJN CHICAGO, IL
The girls went 4-0 playing up in this highly skilled event. Several of the games were close and the team was able get a win at the end with hustle and good defense. The relentless full court pressure became too much for teams to handle.

AAU MENOMONIE, WI
Again the team played up a year in the WI AAU. Playing their usual full court in your face defense helped them go 3-2 in this event, eventually losing in the championship game. In pool play the girls were 2-1 beating Wisconsin Fury 54-30 and JR Bison from Manitoba, Canada 46-18, their loss was to TEAM WISCONSIN 26-42. In the Championship Bracket they beat the Heyward Storm 35-24, setting up a rematch against TEAM WISCONSIN which they lost 30-48. TEAM WISCONSIN proved to be too strong and athletic for the girls.

AYBT NATIONALS BLOOMINGTON, IL
The team finished pool play with a 3-3 record in this event. They played up a year for pool play and then dropped down to the 6th Grade Highly Skilled Division for the finals. In the Championship Bracket the girls were 2-0 and took home the trophy. Neither of the games was very close, once again proving that the girls are an exceptional team at their own age level.

STEEL CITY CLASSIC MERRILLVILLE, IN
In the final tournament of the season the girls went 5-0 playing in a combined 6th and 7th grade bracket. Playing at The Fieldhouse in Merrillville, IN they won the Championship Game rather easily capping a great summer for the girls.

SUMMARY
This team has played together for three seasons and has only lost one game to a team their age that being the championship game for the USSSA Nationals in Florida in 2008. They have been playing up one to two years in almost every tournament, and even played in boys leagues to better themselves. It is because of their hustle, determination and team play that they are able to compete the way they do. In addition the players, parents, and guardians extreme dedication to the team should be recognized as another major factor in this teams’ success.