One of the most memorable moments from last year’s Division II Nationals in Phoenix, was the then 11-year-old Genies coming from 17 points down in the second half to defeat the highly regarded South Bay Waves in overtime. So when the Waves, currently the number four ranked U12 team in California, agreed to make a return trip to the desert to participate in this year’s Phoenix Phenoms Spring Shootout, both teams surely were looking forward to a rematch. Little did they know they would hook up twice and that each game would again come down to the final minute of play. The Genies began the tournament with solid victories over the Arizona Stars (37-21) and Arizona Elite (25-18), running their 2005 record vs. Arizona based U12 teams to 17-2. That set up the first Waves/Genies match-up, a back-and-forth encounter ultimately won by the Genies 31-30 on the strength of some clutch free throw shooting at the end. The win earned the Genies a berth in the tournament finals. The Waves, however, were forced to work their way back through the loser’s bracket, which they did with a 20-point victory over the DFAC Falcons in the semifinals. In the championship, just as they had last summer, the Waves again jumped to a large second half lead, this time 11 points, only to see the Genies fight back in the final minutes. However, after closing to within three with 30 seconds to play, the Genies could get no closer and fell by the final of 32-27. Despite the loss in the finals, the Genies now own a 2-1 all-time record against the Waves, a very well-respected girls basketball program, and have proven once again they are capable of playing with some of the top teams in the country. For the four game tournament the Genies were led in scoring by Amberlee Tialino with 31 points, followed by Cara Bomar (26), Tara Rickenbach (18), Shana Davis (11), Kelsi Haugo and Mackenzie Flannigan (10 each), Alyssa Heeman (8) and Ashton Jones (6). Bomar led the team in rebounding with 22, followed by Tialino (20), Jones (18), Flannigan and Davis (12 each), Rickenbach (9), Heeman (7) and Haugo (5). The Genies 12s overall 2005 record now stands at 23-7. The Genies U10 team also participated in the tournament and posted a 2-2 record in route to a third place finish. The Genies began the tournament with a 34-15 setback at the hands of the Arizona Thunder. However, the team bounced back with back-to-back big wins over the Arizona Sting (28-4) and Tucson Xtreme (35-6) to set up a semifinal showdown with the Arizona Elite, a team the Genies had not lost to in three previous meetings in 2005. But turnovers and missed opportunities plagued the Genies from the outset, and the girls eventually dropped a 24-22 overtime decision and were forced to settle for third place. For the tournament the Genies were led by Tessa Smith with 23 points and 36 rebounds, followed by Elizabeth Rudd (16/14), Rebecca Rudd (15/15), Candice Bomar (12/7), Alex Nicholls (10/18), Michela McGertt (9/6), Ashlin Palmer (6/8), Caitlin Evans (5/3) and Cyndee Flanagan (3/15). Additionally, Genies players from both teams faired nicely during the shootout competitions held during Saturday’s tournament intermission. Candice and Alyssa each placed second in their respective age group’s three-point shootout; and Tessa and Cara both took third in the free throw contests.
Results:
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2005 Tournament Results
Genies Team and Player Statistics
