After the long eight or nine hour trek from Connecticut to Richmond Virginia the 16 Red team stepped on the court for the first game against the Maryland Lady Pearls. 16 Red jumped out to an early lead, thanks to some baskets from Damika Martinez (Platt High School) and Sarah Benedetti (Canton High School), who combined for 15 of the teams 23 first half points, allowing 16 Red to hold onto a five point lead at the half. The second half of the game was a back and forth battle with both teams exchanging baskets. Late in the second half the Starters were able to pull out to a ten point lead and hold on for a seven point victory. Damika Martinez led all scores with 14 with Sarah Benedetti following closely behind her with 12 points. Loren Pachesa (East Catholic High School) and Taryn Roy (East Catholic High School) both added 6 points, while Elise Plaza (Platt High School) and Tara Higgins (East Catholic High School) combined for 6 points in the win for the Starters.
       Game two of the Blue Chip tournament was against team No Limit from New York. Unselfish play and some quick transition baskets allowed the 16 Red to jump out to an early 10 point lead. Taryn Roy led the first half scoring with 9 points with Loren Pachesa right behind her with 7 points. Elise Plaza, Sarah Benedetti and Damika Martinez combined for the final 12 points of the half. The second half of the game was more of the same, only faltering once late in the half where the No Limit team was able to close the gap to under five, but a basket from Ashley Kinney (Somers High School) and some late free throws from Sarah Benedetti (4-4) locked the win for the Starters. Final Score 16 Red 52 and No Limit 44.
       Game three was against the Stafford Virginia All Stars. A sluggish start and poor transition defense allowed the All Stars to jump out to an early lead. 16 Red was able to make a quick run going into half time, cutting the All Star lead to seven. An offensive rebound and put back by Jessica Frawley (Agawam High School) started the run, followed by 7 first half points from Taryn Roy, cut into the lead. 16 Red appeared to awaken in the second half causing turnovers and then transitioning them into easy baskets. Unfortunately, some free throws and a late three pointer became the difference in the win for the All Stars. Damika Martinez led the team with 14 points, while Taryn Roy had 11. Sarah Benedetti had 7 and Elise Plaza chipped in 6. Jessica Frawley, Loren Pachesa, Tara Higgins (East Catholic High School) Ashley Kinney and Allison Berman combined for 12 in the loss.
       Game four of the five game tournament was against the Elmira County Express. Both teams struggled offensively early, late into the first half Damika Martinez and Taryn Roy Sparked the team with a combined 14 points, while Ashley Kinney hit two free throws which helped the Starters cut into the lead, only being down by four at half. Unfortunately four was as close as we could get as a team with the Express winning 57 to 50.
       The last game of the tournament was against the Chester County Wizards. The Wizards were 4 and 0 looking for the clean sweep of the bracket and 16 Red was looking for redemption and a win before the long journey home. 16 Red was able to jump early, Sarah Benedetti and Taryn Roy got warm from beyond the arc, combining for 4 first half three pointers. In addition Damika Martinez and Ashley Kinney combined for 10 points. CT Starters held onto the 1 point lead at half. The second half of the game was a back and forth battle with both teams holding onto the lead at different parts of the half. With less than a minute left the Wizards called a timeout after scoring and cutting the Starter lead to 2. With the Wizards full court press on, 16 Red sets up and runs to perfection the "Breaker" play as the in bounder, Sarah Benedetti, hit Damika Martinez for the half court pass and transitioning it into a fast break lay up. That basket was the final nail in the coffin for the Wizards. 16 Red gave up one more basket after that and held onto the two point victory.

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