2006
The
Tri-State Tarheels 12U team has had a journey to remember forever.
12 girls from different towns, different travel teams and different
schools came together and became one team. A team of dedicated, wonderful
young ladies, who sacrificed many other interests to give all to their
team and the game they love. In the process, a lasting friendship
between this special group of girls developed and this is perhaps
their biggest win of all.
In only their second year together, their hard work
and commitment has translated into some spectacular achievements.
When we stepped on the practice court in March, one of our team goals
was to earn a trip to Division 1 Nationals in Kingsport, Tennessee….and
the resiliency of this team to achieve this goal was incredible from
day one. We had some tough breaks in our qualification tournaments:
we were sent home incorrectly in the Fencor Super Regional, denying
us a chance to qualify; and we finished 4th in the Mid-Atlantic Regionals
(the top 3 get an invitation). So close, but each experience is a
learning experience and these girls learn quickly and they never lost
their composure and determination to achieve their goal.
We went to the NE Rockers Super Regional tournament,
our last chance for a bid to Nationals. Not only did the girls qualify
for Nationals, but they did it in championship style, winning the
tournament with a 5-0 undefeated record, winning all games by double-digits.
Off to Kingsport!
Another learning and life experience lay ahead, as
we headed west in the Tarheel caravan. As expected, the girls made
the most of every minute spent in Tennessee. We registered in a Dome
arena, met other players and coaches from all over the country, took
many pictures, walked into the dome arena during opening ceremonies
proudly announcing who we were and where we were from, the Tarheel
banner was held. If the trip had ended there it would have been a
magical experience, but the reason we were there was yet to come…to
play basketball, compete, learn and experience.
Pool M was our draw and we would play teams from
Massachusetts, Texas and South Carolina. After a jittery (6-45 from
the field) first game loss to the Cape Code Waves, the girls found
the resiliency they had displayed all year long and went out and beat
the SC-Aiken Players and the CY-Fair Shock (both teams had beaten
the Waves), in wonderfully played games by the Tarheels in huge “Palestra-like”
arenas. The 2-1 record resulted in us winning our pool and earning
a birth into the Championship Bracket, where we would be playing the
best of the best, the very top teams in the country, just awesome.
We ended up getting knocked out of the tournament, but not before
these girls left their Tarheel footprints all over Kingsport. We ultimately
finished in the top 36 teams in the country (84 teams went to Nationals).
The coaching staff and the parents could not be prouder
of these girls. The way they played, the way they won, the way they
lost, the way they competed, in all ways the girls conducted themselves
like young ladies, young professionals, young Tarheels. We experienced
exhilaration, we experienced disappointment, we experienced laughter,
we experienced tears, and all these experiences are what made the
journey worthwhile.
The journey for this talented group of girls begins
again next year and we will have new goals, new expectations and new
experiences, as we will not rest in our accomplishments in the past,
but continuously strive for the future.
The 2006 Tri-State Tarheels 12U team is: Nicole Angelo,
Alex Balara, Marie Boisvert, Sara Farrell, Melissa Giunta, Marina
Mestres, Brittany Muniz, Kim Ochman, Hope Phillips, Shannon Pokusa,
Kristina Reiter, Rachel Sisholtz
The team is proudly coached by Marc Balara, Jim Farrell,
Annette Reiter and Rick Angelo.
Thank you girls!
2005
Based in the Southern New Jersey/ Philadelphia region,
the Tar Heels U-15 basketball team qualified for
the AAU Nationals in both 2004 and 2005. Our “Nationals”
caliber success has facilitated the team’s entry into all major
tournaments throughout the Northeast corridor and access to regularly
compete against older teams.
The team is coached by two former college players
who pride themselves with teaching an excellent brand of basketball
where every phase of the game is emphasized…not just scoring.
Additionally, the man-to-man “team defense” that this
team plays is outstanding. Solid basketball fundamentals teamed with
a talented and enthusiastic group of girls makes this team fun to
watch each and every game.As a result of the team's success, the majority
of girls have received inquiries from numerous Division I schools.
See you in Tennessee for the Nationals this summer!
The Tri-State Tar Heels
14U team arrived in Orlando, Fla., excited about their first
trip to the Nationals.
The Tar Heels began the tournament with a resounding victory over
the H-Town Shooting Starz. All members of the team scored during the
game. Playing in the Milk House at Walt Disney World’s Wide
World of Sports did not intimidate the Heels in their second pool
play game. They won, beating the Aiken (S.C.) players. After a setback
Friday, the Tar Heels split two games on Saturday to advance to Sunday’s
Championship Bracket.
The Tar Heels, who received a bye in the first round of bracket play,
played a strong first halve, keeping the score close against the Arkansas
Sirens. In the end, the Tar Heels lost, but gained valuable playing
experience and exposure to play at a higher level.
The 2005 14 U Tar Heels consists of Jennifer Ambrosi, Sam Ambrosi,
Erin Fitz-Patrick, Sheri Fort, Ashley Fuhrer (who cheered her team
from the sidelines after sustaining torn ligaments in her ankle),
Monique Gaffney, Tiffany Jones, Fran Lee, Kira Maier, Lindsay Steigerwald,
Carli Strickland and Danielle Woll. The team is coached by John Ambrosi
and Ed Fort.
The Tristate Tar Heels 13u team
arrived in Dayton,Ohio on July 7 to participate in their first national
championship tournament.
Parents, coaches,and players were anxious and unsure of what this experience
would bring. The burning question was, "Would we be able to compete?"
Our first game was against the Minnesota Metro Stars, back to back Minnesota
state champions. After playing a sloppy first half, the Tar Heels pulled themselves
together and competed well in the second half. Although the team lost this game,
their confidence began to grow as they prepared for the next day. On Sunday the
Tar Heels advanced to the championship bracket by defeating teams from Mississippi
and the Missouri Valley.
Monday would prove to be a very exciting day. The first game was against the
Dayton Lady Hoopstars ( Black ). In addition to being the hometown favorites,
they were undefeated in pool play. After trailing the entire game, the Tar Heels
took the
lead with three minutes left and won the game by a point.
The second game that day would prove to be more exciting as the girls competed
fiercely against a very talented and athletic team from Prince William County
Virginia. Although the team lost in overtime, the Tar Heels erased any doubts
about their ability to play with these teams.
Tuesday morning was somewhat disappointing as the team dropped a four point decision
to the Maryland Sureshots. Although physically capable of winning this game,
the girls inexperience of dealing with the emotional ups and downs of the tournament
showed. Chalk this up to part of the learning process.
Overall, the team exceeded expectations and are proud of their efforts. Team
members are: Kelsey Boylan, Barrie Cohen, Tina Davis, Charlotte Fuller, Ashley
Giedeman, Morgan Halbruner, Alyse Maiden, Ashley Sheridan, Dana Wert, and Shawna
Wert.
The
team is coached by Keith Wert.
11A TarHeels "Nationals Qualifier"
The 11 year old TarHeels, in their first year
together as team qualified for Nationals. This is an exceptional
achievement for a first year
team, but not hard to understand if you have ever seen their practices
and/or their games. They are a talented, dedicated and extremely
hard working group of young ladies, who continuously play to the
best of their capabilities. They give everything they have in practice
and as we always say at practice, "Girls, what you do in practice,
you'll do in the games!"
Going into the MidAtlantic Regionals, the first year TarHeels received
a random ranking of 12 out of 12 teams. Not a favorable ranking,
but one that would give the feisty TarHeels the greatest challenge
and the team met it head on. This tough Tarheel team finished the
tournament with big wins against #2 ranked Fencor, #5 ranked Bucks
County Wildcats and the #4 Lower Delco Lady Wildcats. They had the
eventual winner of the Regionals, the Philadelphia Belles, on the
ropes midway in the second half with an 8 point lead before the Belles
made a terrific run at the end for the win. A great effort by both
teams, clearly showing the parity between the two teams.
Ultimately, the TarHeels placed 4th in the Regionals, which helped
them to qualify for Nationals in Springfield, Missouri. Their performance
shows that this is a team of not only the present, but of the future
with loads of potential and possibilities. You will hear more from
this team next year, as they continue their pursuit of fundamental
development, team excellence and lots of fun.
2000
14-Year-Olds
In 2000, the then 14-year-old Lady Tar Heels again qualified for the
National Championship.
2000
12-Year-Olds
The 12-year-old B team also qualified for the
National Championship held at Ft. Meyers Florida.
2000
15-Year-Olds
The 15-year-old team played in the Junior Nationals Championship held
in Washington, DC.
