Orlando Comets

(KB - 07/12/05)  The Comets Red 15U opened pool play at AAU 16U nationals with two superior (13+) wins over the Fox Valley Rebels and the Boo Williams Miracles today.    The Comets scorched Fox Valley 68-27 and outlasted Boo Williams 68-53.   These wins leave the Comets tied for first place in Pool I with the Ohio Blaze and the Georgia Metro Nike Elite.    Both the Blaze and the Elite posted 13+ wins over their opponents today.

In the early game, the Comets came out smoking.   Led by Gabby Claxton the Comets jumped on Fox Valley at the outset and never allowed them to get into the game.   Gabby made several tough defensive plays that allowed her to score unhindered as the Comets piled up an early lead and coasted in the second half.

It was just the opposite in the late game.    The Comets did jump out to a first half lead, but Boo Williams made some halftime adjustments that allowed them to play the Comets tight in the second half, much to the chagrin of Comets Coach Garfield Blair.    "We allowed them back into the game in the second half", groused Blair.     "You can't do that at this level."

Why not, we wonder?   They ARE playing up.

The Comets will get their mouths bloodied tomorrow when they square off against the Georgia Metro Nike Elite.    This team finished second in the 16U gold division at the Boo Williams tourney in April.    It is doubtful the Comets will be allowed to pile up a 25 point cushion before the game becomes interesting.

The Comets have Tennessee Elite on tap in the late game and the Ohio Blaze set for Thursday.

In other games of note, the Hollywood Sun Eagles 16U went 1-1 on the first day of pool play.    Hollywood beat the Dayton Lady Hoopstars 57-52 in the early game, but stumbled before the DBL Phoenix, 70-59, in the nightcap.   If that's so, we don't wish to see the Phoenix until late.     The Suns are the only team to beat the Comets this year.    We would not have predicted a loss for them on the first day of competition.

In Pool H, Jacksonville Team Ball was crushed by Indiana's Finest, 97-62, in the opening game.   They came back to beat OK Magic 88's in the nightcap.

In Pool A, the Palm Beach Waverunners lost their opening game to the MI Livingston Sting, 76-71.    Also in Pool A, TN Flight pasted the Florida Fire, 109-21.

In Pool D, Orlando Girls Got Game downed the Connecticut Storm Black, 61-52, in the opener and then extended their record to 2-0 with a 73-69 win over the Phoenix Phenoms.

And in Pool M, Madd Skillz went 0-2 on the day with losses to the Fairfax Stars and the NJ North Stars.

2005 AAU 16U Pool Play Scores

(The photos to the right are of this year's 16U class when they were 13U players in 2002)