posted July 1, 2008
) Sporting silver hardware from the AAU Division II state tournament are Dalton Fire 14U Members Maddie Howell, from left front row , Abby Shaw, Anna lee Houston, Danielle Pearson, Kate Hutchinson, Meg Crawford. Back row Tori Clemmons, assistant coach Janet O’Neal, , Alli O’Neal, head coach Kent Snyder. Not pictured are Annie Kate Snyder, Anna Quinn, and Taylor Scott. |
The team posted an undefeated record in the tournament, beating five opponents from around the state, before losing in the closely-contested championship game.
“There are athletes on this team who have played in the state championship game for four consecutive years, “said head coach Kent Snyder. “That is quite an accomplishment that we’ve made it this far that many times. We really stepped up our competition level this year, playing in tougher events and against teams that finished in the top ten nationally last year. We also competed against older teams to prepare for the rigors of the state tournament. These athletes turned in outstanding individual performances at state and on the road to state, but more importantly, they played every game as a team. They’ve shown drive, determination, grit, and grace under pressure.
“Very few of these young ladies knew each other before they came together to play for the Dalton Fire, “ Snyder continued. “It’s been rewarding as a coach to watch the team ‘gel.’ AAU basketball is a tough game. Tournaments can wear on you mentally, emotionally, and physically. But these young women are dedicated and have supported each other. The parents of these girls have been positive. Team members have improved their basketball skills and had a lot of fun, and so have I. We won some big games, and it’s always fun to win. It’s been a privilege to serve as their coach.”
While the Dalton Fire organization is based in Whitfield County, girls from eight area schools comprised the 14U team including Calhoun High School, Christian Heritage School, Dalton High School, Dalton Middle School, Gordon Lee High School, Northwest High School, North Whitfield Middle School, and Southeast High School.
“Each team member demonstrated every possible meaning of the word sportsmanship,” Snyder concluded. “Everyone can be proud of the way they represented the Northwest Georgia area.”
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