NE Hoop News
July 23, 2009
The Light Shines Bright on the CT Spirit Girls 14U AAU Team
The NE HOOPNEWS would like to acknowledge the success
of the 14U CT SPIRIT AAU team, which features top rising sophomores from both
Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Spirit has had a tremendous season thus far,
going an impressive 40-6 on the season. Having won the Connecticut Division I
states in '05,'06,'08, and '09 (Runners up in 2007), the Spirit has proven that
Connecticut certainly is a basketball state. Competing with the best at the
Blue Chip Penn State Invitational tournament, the Spirit represented New
England by finishing in 3rd place among some of the nation's top programs.
After losing by 1 point to
Alana Beard's Future in the semi-finals, the Spirit went on to win
the consolation game by 43 points, sealing the deal for 3rd place and proving
that their run fell way too short.
This group
certainly is impressive when it comes together, so it's no surprise that
individually they are just as impressive. Each member of the Spirit played on
their respective varsity basketball teams as freshmen, an accomplishment that
not many teams have made. The NE HOOPNEWS staff has been able to watch this
special group of players in BasketBull's Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic and the
New England Elite College Showcase (where they went 4-0, we might add). We'd
like to highlight just a few of the reasons that each of these players makes an
impact:
Dana Theobald: a 5'6'' point guard who can not only take it to the rim,
but has a deadly three point shot. Has the will to win and protects the ball
well on her drives, allowing her to get in there!
Caroline Jadovich: at 5'9'' and the team's youngest player, this guard can drive
and shoot the lights out from the three.
Erica Oundjian: a 5'9'' athletic player who can play both the guard and
post, has three point range and is a monster on the boards, plays remarkable
defense and can shut down players in the post.
Ashley Perez:
a 5'9'' guard with amazing athleticism and leaping ability, super quick
and can get to the hoop in the blink of an eye. Oh yea, and she can shoot the
three J.
Kelsey Cuddy:
at 6'0'', this long, lean wing player can shoot and drive, play defense
and get the boards.
Chelsea Vujs: at 5'9'', this player loves to drive and also has amazing leaping
ability. She likes to get physical and is quite the shotblocker.
DD Barrett:
at 5'5'', this point guard has the ability to see the floor and loves
to distribute the ball. Not only does she do a great job at running the
offense, but she is a real defender.
Stephanie Morales: at only 5'4'', this player gets more boards than one
would imagine. She loves to rebound and loves to take it to the hoop.
We look forward to seeing more
from this crew as they play next Wed, July 29th
at BasketBull's End of Summer Blowout, held at Assumption College.