Ask any championship team what is more difficult, winning the initial title or defending it the following year, and most will tell you repeating is the bigger challenge. But despite having the added pressure associated with being the defending state champs and with each opponent gunning to make their mark with an upset victory, the Gilbert Genies U12 team successfully defended its state title, sweeping to three straight victories at the 2005 Arizona AAU State Championships, April 15-17 at Dobson High School in Mesa. Cara Bomar sank a trio of three-point shots and finished with 13 points to power the Genies to a 32-17 victory over the Arizona Thunder in the final game. The Genies, who also won the title in 2004 as 11-year-olds, jumped to a 10-1 lead and never looked back in upping their 2005 overall record to 26-7. For the tournament the Genies were led by Bomar with 23 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Ashton Jones (15/23), Tara Rickenbach (13/11), Mackenzie Flannigan (8/10), Shana Davis (7/10), Kelsi Haugo (7/5), Amberlee Tialino (6/18) and Alyssa Heeman (3/5). The Genies reached the championship game following victories over the DFAC Falcons (33-24) and Arizona Elite (17-14). The Genies U10 team also reached the championship game for the second consecutive year, only to come away with another runner-up finish after dropping a 23-17 decision to the Thunder 10s. The Genies had previously defeated the Arizona Sting (29-7) and Arizona Warriors (29-17) in earlier tournament action. For the tournament the Genies were led in both scoring and rebounding by Tessa Smith (28/27), followed by Ashlin Palmer (18/7), Rebecca Rudd (13/21), Elizabeth Rudd (9/10), Alex Nicholls (7/9), Candice Bomar (7/4), Michela McGertt (4/4) and Tenae Hinrichs (3/3). Cyndee Flanagan and Caitlin Evans also contributed with eight and three rebounds respectively.
Results:
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2005 Tournament Results
Genies Team and Player Statistics
