It was years in planning, fundraising and on court training, but it was all worth it as the Falcons Under 18 Girls USA tour was a resounding success in every sense of the word. Coach of the touring team, and one of the great men of Waverley, Mark Sainsbery, put together this comprehensive wrap of one of the great life experiences for these girls.
A touring party of 19 left our shores on December 27 to embark on a 21 day basketball tour of the USA. This tour provided a wonderful opportunity for the 10 players to be exposed to basketball at the High School and College level and the memories and experiences will remain a life time with each of them.
The team played a total of 7 games whilst away and returned home with a 5 & 2 record. Our last game against a much older Montreat College team saw us play our best game of the tour and despite the 77 – 60 loss, the girls certainly played well and earned themselves great respect from the large crowd in attendance. This game was also live streamed over the internet which allowed for family and friends to watch the game back in Australia.
Prior to our first game we attended the Accelerate Basketball Training Centre in South Carolina where the girls were put through their paces in a solid session of skills and testing. Accelerate Basketball Training provide off season training for a number of current NBA players including Stephen Curry, so it was a great way for the girls to receive invaluable knowledge from a professional group of coaches.
The best win of the tour came in Game 3 against Amelia Academy High School who were coming off claiming a State Championship last year. Down by 9 points with 3 minutes to go, the girls gave everything to go on a 12 – 0 run to claim a sensational 3 point win in front of a parochial home crowd.
Some of the other experiences included during the tour were attending a Charlotte/Washington NBA Game, a UNC College Game on New Year’s Eve and visiting prestigious academic facilities including Wake Forest University, University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Duke University, University of North Carolina and the University of Virginia. Visits to Disneyland, California Adventure Park, Universal Studios, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach also capped off a wonderful tour.
Being part of the Xtreme Classic in Virginia Beach also saw us treated like ‘Rock Stars’ as the Americans just couldn’t get enough of us Aussies! Mikaela Miller and Daniella Catanese were lucky enough to be part of a 3 Point Competition at half time of the final and all the team were introduced to the massive crowd on court which they were thrilled about.
For the majority of the tour the weather was cold with the temperature in Rocky Mount, Virginia down to minus 17 which tested us all! The girls also managed to see snow in Richmond, Virginia as we ate dinner one night which was a great experience. The weather in Los Angeles was a lot warmer as we were able to visit the major attractions in more comfortable conditions of 27 degrees.
The touring team included – Adriana Catanese, Daniella Catanese, Ellen Parry, Holly Sainsbery, Maya Glikfeld, Mikaela Miller, Miranda Ludekens, Sharniqua Scott, Tamara Ludekens and Zoe Newman.
Support staff included Mark Sainsbery (Head Coach), Pina Catanese (Assistant Coach), Tony Parry (Team Manager), Vee Ludekens (Tour Treasurer) with team support coming from Belinda Catanese, John Catanese, Leanne Bickley, Shantra Scott and Simon Ludekens.
The touring team would like to thank the Waverley Basketball Association for their support leading up to our departure as well as the members of the club. For any other Waverley team considering such a tour, please do so as the experiences were out of this world.
Our tour motto of “Living the Dream” certainly rang true and the smiles on player’s faces during the tour were priceless.
Tour Scores;
Waverley 33 (Mikaela Miller 12, Daniella Catanese 9, Holly Sainsbery 4, Zoe Newman 4, Maya Glikfeld 4) Defeated by Franklin Academy High School 36.
Waverley 55 (Mikaela Miller 13, Daniella Catanese 11, Holly Sainsbery 7, Miranda Ludekens 6, Zoe Newman 5, Sharniqua Scott 4, Adriana Catanese 4, Maya Glikfeld 3, Ellen Parry 2) Defeated Greensboro Home High School 28.
Waverley 53 (Mikaela Miller 16, Sharniqua Scott 12, Miranda Ludekens 8, Maya Glikfeld 7, Holly Sainsbery 6, Adriana Catanese 4) Defeated Amelia Academy High School 50.
Waverley 62 (Zoe Newman 13, Ellen Parry 9, Daniella Catanese 9, Mikaela Miller 8, Miranda Ludekens 7, Sharniqua Scott 6, Maya Glikfeld 6, Holly Sainsbery 2, Adriana Catanese 2) Defeated Greenbrier Academy High School 34.
Waverley 48 (Mikaela Miller 10, Sharniqua Scott 7, Holly Sainsbery 6, Miranda Ludekens 5, Ellen Parry 5, Zoe Newman 5, Daniella Catanese 4, Maya Glikfeld 4, Adriana Catanese 2) Defeated Franklin County High School 41.
Waverley 51 (Adriana Catanese 9, Mikaela Miller 8, Daniella Catanese 8, Maya Glikfeld 7, Sharniqua Scott 6, Miranda Ludekens 6, Ellen Parry 4, Holly Sainsbery 2, Zoe Newman 1) Defeated Wayne Country High School 19.
Waverley 60 (Mikaela Miller 16, Miranda Ludekens 12, Ellen Parry 11, Daniella Catanese 8, Holly Sainsbery 7, Maya Glikfeld 3, Sharniqua Scott 2, Adriana Catanese 2) Defeated by Montreat College 77.
Tour Statistics
Point Scorers: Mikaela Miller 83, Daniella Catanese 49, Miranda Ludekens 48, Sharniqua Scott 37, Holly Sainsbery 34, Maya Glikfeld 34, Ellen Parry 31, Zoe Newman 28 and Adriana Catanese 23.
Highest Score: 62 versus Greenbrier Academy High School
Lowest Score: 33 versus Franklin Academy High School
Points For: 362
Points Against: 285
Win % Ratio: 71.42%
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