Orlando Comets

(KB - 07/16/05) The Orlando Comets Red team advanced to the Elite 8 at Disney 16U AAU Nationals this afternoon with a hard fought 79-66 win over Dayton Lady Hoopstars.

This game was closer than the score indicated. Both teams battled tooth and nail for every loose ball and rebound. Dayton is a well-coached team. They had an answer for every Comets press and every defensive adjustment Comets Coach Garfield Blair could throw at them.

In the end, the difference between the teams was Comets center Krystal Thomas. Thomas scored 28 points as the Comets guards consistently penetrated, found her open in the post, and dished. Krystal more than made up for her performance against the Georgia Metros the other day as she dominated this game on both ends of the court.

Earlier today the Comets downed the OH SMAC Ballers 79-57.

The Comets Red move on to face the WP PA Hoopstars, 71-57 winners over the CN Breeze. The Breeze beat the Hollywood Sun Eagles in pool play; the Sun Eagles are one of only two teams with wins over the Comets this year.

Wherever the Comets Red go from this point is sheer gravy. They are a 15U team playing in the 16U division. They cannot finish lower than eighth place here. This is an astonishing accomplishment for a team that will play here again next year with designs on winning the entire event.

2005 AAU 16U Bracket Play Scores

Comets Blue Racking Up at D2 Nationals

(KB - 07/16/05) Meanwhile, the Comets Blue team is racking up over at D2 Nationals. The Blue team is undefeated and has average win margins of 22 ppg. Asia Wilson and Laquita Curry lead a team determined to silence its critics by winning this event.

The Blue team has faced criticism all year for their decision to follow the Red team from event to event. The Blue team has had some successes. But they have yet to close the deal on a tournament win this year.

D2 Nationals is the second to last event of the year for the Blue team and they want to really show what they can do here. Looming in the immediate future for the Blue team is James Thomas' Next Level. The Blue team has won every meeting with Next Level this year, but the scores have been close. Next Level is also undefeated in pool play. If they win their pool they end up on the same side of the brackets as the Blue team. That's going to be some game.