The inaugural Battle of the Border game!
"PoP" | Mar 29, 2010 | Comments 0
In the inaugural Battle of the Border game featuring the senior all-stars from Nevada versus the senior all-stars from Utah, Utah came out on top 72-67. The game was played at the McKay Events Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Oregon on Saturday, March 27.
Battle of the Border Summary
The games started out 12-2 in favor of the Utah Senior All-Stars and looked like Utah was going to run away from the Nevada team. After a Nevada time-out, the visiting team came out pressuring hard, creating several bad possessions for Utah. Nevada capitalized on the Utah turnovers, cutting the lead to 14-12. Utah would go back up 6 as Sadie Clements hit a deep three, buried a baseline pull-up jumper, and Jasmine Porter found Kylie Herschi on a fancy pass around the back. Clements finished with 10 points, 9 all in the first half. Whenever Nevada needed a basket, BYU signee Stephanie Rovetti would carve up the Utah defense and get to the rim. Nevada had 4 And-One plays in the first half, three of those coming from Rovetti. Nevada was attacking the hoop every time down the floor. In fact, Nevada hit 12 of 14 from the charity stripe the first half (Rovetti 6 of 7). While Nevada was driving the lanes, Utah was looking for pull-ups and outside shots. Utah only shot 2 of 4 from the line the first half. Utah had 9 blocks the first half, 6 by Hamson, 1 by Jensen, and 1 by Andrus. At the half, it was Utah leading by five. 32-27.
The second half show more signs of kids being more relaxed and not so uptight. The 6′1 forward headed to Pacific, Danielle Peacon, got hot and hit a 3, followed by a baby hook middle. After a Jordan Waugh three, Nevada took the lead by one. When Nevada finally took the lead, the 5′7 shooter from Alta, Becca Beaudoin hit back to back threes followed by another triple from Erica Martinez. Both Erica and Becca are the two leading 3 point specialists in the state. Erica hit 80 triples on the season while Becca hit 77. Just when you thought Utah would get control of the game, Nevada found a way to stay in it. Nevada came out pressing with about 6 minutes to go, forcing several unforced turnovers and bad passes by Utah. 6′1 forward Sarah Pickus became a monster inside late in the game. She was held to 6 the first half and finished with 9 in the second. Each team had players making huge play after huge play. Amy Andrus showed why she is one of the toughest post players in the state of Utah by crashing the offensive boards and getting two key buckets late in the game. Jennifer Hamson was held to just 5 the first half but found the bottom of the net with 11 second half points (4 of 4 from the stripe down the stretch). Up 1 with with 2:00 minutes to go, Jennifer Hazlett made a cross court pass to Becca Beaudoin for an easy lay-in and a three point lead. Utah would hold on to win, giving the first Battle of the Border win to Utah.
The officials (Matthew Messerly and Johnny Wa) did an outstanding job. They let the kids play, yet was in control of the game from the start. Both teams demonstrated the intensity and determination to compete while showing respect and class for each other. The seniors from both states were fun all weekend long. In fact, Friday night after the dinner banquet and being recognized at the Utah Flash game that night, all 20 seniors decided to attend a local high school dance. Friday night’s banquet served 90 people, including guest speakers Betsy Specketer (SLCC Head Coach) and Cindy Lindsay (Snow College Head Coach). We had great photographers all weekend long. John and Doug Larson provided great individual photo’s, team photo’s, and several hundred action shots. They will all be posted online at www.johnlarsonphotography.com.
A HUGE shout-out to Mark Hildebrand, the Utah Flash, the LaQuinta Inn and Suites, and Game Gear for making this event possible. The All-Star game had tremendous support. We thank the players and parents who stood up for girl’s basketball and having the desire to be a part of something special. There was one program in particular that would not allow their players to participate in the All-Star game. The WBCA Pink Zone Battle of the Border benefited a lot of kids. We appreciate all those who have the best interest of the kids at heart. It is important that we continue to help this great sport grow! Thank you to Kawika Akina, the head coach for Utah, and assistant coach Troy Gifford. Sarah Schopper showed why she is one of the better coaches in the state of Nevada. We thank her for her participation.
Lastly, we thank the Nevada players and parents and coach for your willingness to come and play this game in Utah. Unfortunately for Nevada, they lost a D1 point guard, Shea Collins, in Thursday night’s practice. She turned her ankle pretty bad and will have an MRI on Monday when she returns back to Vegas. Shea, we wish you a safe and speedy recovery!
I am attaching the media guide in a pdf format for those who were unable to participate or attend.
Side Notes: All the players were able to keep their shorts, pink t-shirts, pink socks, and pink shoe laces. After every single player begged me to let them keep their shorts, I had to give in! They earned it. They deserved it. They will cherish this great experience. After all, it is about the kids!
Utah All-Stars 72, Nevada All-Stars 65
Box Score: UT 32 40 (72), NV 27 40 (67)
Stats for Utah: Hamson 16 (5/8 FT), Beaudoin 11 (1/2 FT), Clements 10 (1/2 FT), Porter 9 (0/2 FT), Andrus 8, Hazlett 7 (4/6 FT), Jensen 5 (3/4 FT), Hirschi 4, Martinez 3; Team 3’s: Beaudoin 3, Clements 1, Porter 1, Matinez 1
Stats for Nevada: Rovetti 17 (7/7 FT), Pickus 15 (3/3 FT), Byrd 9 (2/2 FT), Waugh 5, Cannon 4 (4/6 FT), Hicks 2 (2/2 FT), Walker 2 (2/2 FT) ; Team 3’s: Byrd 1, Peacon 1, Waugh 1.
College Bounds Players:
Utah: Andrus (undecided), Beaudoin (Westminster), Clements (Sac State), Hamson (BYU), Hazlett (Army), Hirschi (Utah State for track), Jensen (Idaho State), Martinez (undecided), Porter (San Diego State)
Nevada: Byrd (Portland), Cannon (undecided), Collins (IUPUI), Finlay (Nevada-Reno), Hicks (undecided) Peacon (Pacific), Pickus (undecided), Rovetti (BYU), Walker (undecided), Waugh (undecided)
PremierBall would like to thank to Lance Ringler for all the above info.
For complete game media click link here. http://www.utahswooshbasketball.com/NV-UT-All-Star-Game.html
Filed Under: Featured Story • Top Story
About the Author: Christian T. Popoola graduted from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2006 with a bachelors degree in criminal justice. He was a member of the mens basketball team from 1999-2001, winning the Mountain West Conference championship in 2000 and also participating in the 2000 NCAA tournament. He made the Mountain West Conference all academics team from 1999-2001 and was a member of the African American honor society.
After graduating from UNLV he went on to become the Marketing Executive for UNLV booster organization called the Basketball club. There he continued to support the institution as well as the mens basketball program by networking and maintaining relationships with the fans and donors around the Las Vegas valley. -"No Player Left Behind" -
FaceBook
Myspace
Twitter