Team play highlighted the 12 & Unders first tournament championship this weekend. Saturdays wins were never in question as the Defenders played great team defense in the second half of the first game holding the Buffalo Storm scoreless leading to a 36 to 8 win. Erika Perk and Sara DiPasquale lead the offense with 10 and 8 points, respectively. In the second game, all 10 players scored as they rolled over the Genesee Valley Fillies 42 to 11. Emily Nason and Erika Perk led the Defenders with 8 points each. On Sunday the Defenders faced two strong challengers. In the first game, the first half was back and forth ending with the Erie Saints leading 18 to 16. The Defenders turned up the defensive heat as Adila Gathers, Emily Nason, and Alyssa Perk took turns pressuring the Saints guards. The Defenders controlled the backboards as Sara DiPasquale and Abbie Schwab limited the Saints to one shot each time down the floor. Offensively, Laura Fairbanks made a layup off a steal and then drilled a three-point shot to put the Defenders in the lead for good culminating in a 33 to 28 win. Needing a win over the home team, Rochester Warriors to clinch their first championship, the Defenders ran a tip play to start the game with Erica Jankowski finishing with a layup. Hillary Nason made a layup as time ran out in the first half to take the lead they would never relinquish and Lauren Jensen started the second half with a big three-pointer in the 38 to 28 win. Congratulations!!!!!

Another strong second place finish was only part of the successful weekend our 13U experienced in the Warriors tournament. A heart breaking opening game lose, with the winning shot being made as time expired, did not discourage this team of special young ladies. They re-grouped and delievered three staight victories, with the final victory of the tournament against the previously unbeaten Rochester Warriors team. The nine point victory was played in a truely passionate and physical contest. With victories in 5 of the last 7 tournament games, our team is preparing for a great tournament next weekend in Binghamton.

Another strong second place finish was only part of the successful weekend our 13U experienced in the Warriors tournament. With a heart breaking opening game lose, with the winning shot being made as time expired, did not discourage this team of special young ladies. They re-grouped and delievered three staight victories, with the final victory of the tournament against the previously unbeaten Rochester Warriors team. The nine point victory was played in a truely passionate and physical contest. With victories in 5 of the last 7 tournament games, our team is preparing for a great tournament next weekend in Binghamton.

Another strong second place finish was only part of the successful weekend our 13U experienced in the Warriors tournament. With a heart breaking opening game lose, with the winning shot being made as time expired, did not discourage this team of special young ladies. They re-grouped and delievered three staight victories, with the final victory of the tournament against the previously unbeaten Rochester Warriors team. The nine point victory was played in a truely passionate and physical contest. With victories in 5 of the last 7 tournament games, our team is preparing for a great tournament next weekend in Binghamton.

The Buffalo Defenders 15 and under team won 7 games over the weekend to capture the Jamestown Shootout. The hot shooting continued as the team hit 46 3 point shot's over the 7 game span including a team record 12 in one game. The 15's will next be in action at the New York State Championship's held at Canisius college.

Our 13U team playing in only their second tournament together, came out of the Slam Fest competition with a third place finish in a field of 13 teams. Heart, passion and desire were the components of success, as well as getting to know each other better on the court. The team posted a 2 - 1 record for the weekend.

"Mau" was finally introduced to the team and another lesson in "Mau" is on the horizon, for the players who missed the Slam Fest tournament.

The Defenders 15's won their second title in as many weeks by defeating the Elmira Express 71-58 and avenging an earlier loss, in doing so qualified for the AAU National Championships. Julie Hagner hit 3 of the team's 7 3 pointers as they raced to a 46-33 halftime lead. Shannon Dougherty 20 points and 5 assist's led the winners. Hagner scored 14 points, Meagan Heldwein 13 points and 8 rebounds and Erin O'Brien scored 12 points and 3 assists. The girls opened the tournament losing to the same Elmira team 46-40. They then defeated the Rochester Warriors 46-27, led by Dougherty's 13 points. On sunday they ran off wins vs. Central Western 58-36, and a gutsy Jasper - Troutsburg squad. The girls hit 19 3 pointers in the 3 sunday games.

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.

Our 13U team learned some hard lessons this past weekend. When playing in an "A" tournament against strong competition you better be ready to play from the opening tip, right to the final horn.

The team was clearly over-matched in game one, but adapted to PA AAU basketball in their next two games. Though the margin of defeats were just in single digits in games two and three, the team is itching to get back on the court ASAP to get back to their winning ways. Unfortunatley our next tournament is not until May 17 - 18 at the Finger Lakes Slam Fest Tournament.

Reminder to all of Coach Kanalley's players: Scrimmage on 5/8/08 at Lancaster Middle School (7 pm - 8:45 pm). Next practice on 5/11/08 at Cardinal O'Hara High School (6 pm - 8 pm)

With our first scheduled tournament cancelled, due to the lack of referees, coaches from the Buffalo Storm pulled together a Mini-Tournament and invited our 13U team. The team played well in a 15 point victory vs the Buffalo Storm's 13U team in game one and bettered that performance with a 27 point victory against a collection of 14U practice players from the Buffalo Storm organization.

The informal Mini-Tournament was a good first stepping stone to next weeks Slippery Rock Tournament, where the competition should be a little stronger.

Many thanks to Skip Summers for the invitation and hospitality.

The 12U Buffalo Defenders won the Chief Williams Tournament at Niagara University by going 3-0. The 12U girls began the weekend by defating the Niagara Rapids 40-17. Kayla Burt led a balanced attack with 9 points while Taylor Rooks chipped in with 8 and Natalie Galus had 7 points. The second game saw the 12U Defenders put together a convincing 63-16 performance over the Flames. Natalie was strong inside with 22 points while Melissa Smith added 12 and Kayla chipped in 10. Finally, in the championship game the 12U Defenders overcame a strong WNY Elite team by a 47-34 count. The Defenders played the championship game with six players and they were all exhausted after this win. Natalie again led the team with 17 points while Kayla had 9, Taylor Heinold had 8, Rachel Pawlak had 7 (including two keys buckets down the stretch) and Taylor Rooks added 6. Congratulations for a hard fought and successful weekend!!!

The second tournament saw the girls play a tough schedule and falling in the championship game. The girls opened the tournament with a convincing 42-23 win over the Buffalo Storm - Deren. Meagan Heldwein led a balance attack with 12 points. Sarah Federico scored 7 points. A strong rebounding effort led by Casey Frants 9 rebounds. Heldwein, Federico and Erin O'Brien had 7 rebounds apiece. A hard fought second game resulted in a 42-35 win over Defenders - Reinholz. Hayley Pickett had 13 points and 7 rebounds. Heldwein had 8 points, 6 rebounds and Julie Hagner chipped in with 7 points. A stubborn WNY Elite team put up a stubborn fight before the girls prevailed 61-47. Pickett scored 16 points, Hagner added 12 points to the cause. Shannon Dougherty had 11 points and 4 assists. Sarah Federico added 5 rebounds. On sunday the girls drooped the championship game to the Niagara Rapids 34-29 in a nip and tuck battle. Erin O'Brien led the team with 10 points.

The 12 & Under Defenders got their first taste of AAU Tournament life finishing 2 and 2 in the Western Finger Lakes Main Event.

On day one, in the first game the Defenders started slow before picking it up right before halftime and trailed by one 19-18. In the second half they picked up their defense, made some great passes, and pulled away from the Southern Tier Hornets leading by double digits before fininshing with a 45-40 win. In the second game of the day the Defenders couldn't overcome a basket with a lid on it and tired legs trailing Spangle Basketball most of the game and falling 41-33.

On day two the Defenders came out well rested. Although we started slow we were able to come back and lead by one at halftime 12-11. In the second half the team defense and some fine passing got the fast break going and the girls added 24 second half points to win going away 36-24 over the Oneonta Pirates. In our fourth and final game of the tournament, playing for a potential tournament championship against a very strong Rochester Warriors team was too much as the Warriors controlled the game from the beginning with a half court trap defense. The Defenders competed hard but couldn't get anything to drop losing 40-7.

Finishing 2-2 was a great start for this young team. The season continues next weekend at the Chief Williams Memorial Tournament at Niagara University.

Defender15's had a successful start to the season by winning the 2008 Buffalo Storm Tournament. The team started the tournament by going on a 12-0 run to defeat the Niagara Rapids 52-46. Shannon Dougherty and Meagan Heldwein led the winners with 11 points apiece. Mia Manzella and Megan McGrath scored 6 points apiece.Defenders then defeated the N.E. Ballers 45-21. Haley Pickett's 10 points led the team. Julie Hagner and Alex Skomra added 7 points apiece. Tournaments are won on sunday's and this was no different. The girls began sunday defeating the Rochester Warriors 52-39. Julie Hagner scored 21 points and Haley Pickett added 12 more. The girls then finished the tournament by defeating a stubborn Buffalo Storm team 55-51. Julie Hagner 14 and Shannon Dougherty 12 points led the team. Tournament MVP Haley Pickett finished a solid tournament by just missing a triple double with 9 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals. Casey Frantz chipped in with 6 points and Sarah Federico added 5. The girls will next be in action in the Chief Williams Tournament in Niagara falls, NY.

Kayla Burt, Taylor Heinold, Rachel Pawlak and Hannah Rehbaum won the 10-12 age bracket this weekend at 3 on 3 tournament at the University of Buffalo. The four went undefeated in all five tournament games and actually played against Taylor Rooks (a Defenders teammate) in the championship game on Sunday afternoon.

Coach Panepinto had the 12U Buffalo Defenders ready to start the season and they went 4-0 in the Buffalo Storm Spring Tourney. The Defenders defeated the Rochester Warriors, Niagara Rapids, a second Warriors team and finally the Buffalo Storm. Hats off Coach Panepinto and his squad for a very successful weekend and to Natalie Galus the Tourney MVP.

Located in Fredonia, New York.

Winning their first Pool Bracket this spring, our 13U team is playing their best basketball all season. With a gutsy 4 point victory against the home town tournament team in their first game and finishing pool play with strong finishes in games 2 and 3, the stage was set for a classic encounter with our sisters from Coach Panepinto's team. Both teams came in the game at 3-0. The final result was a triple overtime heart-breaking loss 51 - 49. Next up is our scheduled final tournament at Fredonia, the last week of June. Good luck to all out Buffalo Defenders playing in the Gus Macker next weekend.

Located in Spencerport, New York.

Our 13U team playing in only their second tournament together, came out of the Slam Fest competition with a third place finish in a field of 13 teams. Heart, passion and desire were the components of success, as well as getting to know each other better on the court. The team posted a 2 - 1 record for the weekend.

"Mau" was finally introduced to the team and another lesson in "Mau" is on the horizon, for the players who missed the Slam Fest tournament.