The Buffalo Defenders 15 and under won the 2008 WNY Lady Lakers tournament defeating the Buffalo Storm in the final 38-37 for the title. Mia Manzella led the winners with 11 points. The team also defeated two Rochester Warrior teams as well as coming from 7 down in the final 1:45 to defeat the Unity Wildcats 55-54. Shannon Dougherty started the comeback by hitting a 3 pointer to cut the lead to 4. After a timeout, Julie Hagner steal and subsequent layup cut the lead to 2. After getting a defensive stop, the girls worked the ball and Erin O'Brien hit a 3 pointer from the left wing with 8 seconds remaining for the win. Meagan Heldwein led the winners with 10 points. Hagner, Dougherty and Hayley Pickett scored 9 points apiece.
