Spanish National 17U Girl’s Basketball Team Outlast Hoopers NY in International Basketball Scrimmage

Hoopers NY 17U Melious outplayed the Spanish Elite Sports Academy 17U team in the first half, leading, 35-26, at the break.

But the Elite Sports Academy fought back, using its size advantage and deep roster of 18 players, to just eight Hoopers NYers, to wear down the opposition in the fourth quarter en route to a 79-66 international scrimmage victory Sunday at St. Teresa-St. Rita STREAM Academy on Staten Island.

It did not help matters as the Hoopers NY missed several foul shots in the final period. Plus, the Spanish squad was able to rotate in fresh players, and Hoopers NY was playing without the hardwood services of 6-foot-4 star Natile Fox, who was on official college visits, head coach Dan Melious said.

“We missed eight foul shots in the fourth quarter; that’s the difference,” Melious explained. “They had 18 kids. Every kid scored for them.

“We really didn’t have a balanced scoring attack,” he added. “And we definitely missed Natile Fox, which was big, especially in the fourth quarter in rebounding. Nataile is a game-changer.”

The Hoopers NY jumped out to a 22-15 advantage in the first quarter, with Jordanna Schrecker (New Dorp High School) scoring 10 points. Then, Hoopers NY took a nine-point lead going into the locker room.

But the Spanish team chipped away at the Hoopers NY lead, slicing the deficit to 44-41 with 27.9 seconds remaining in the third period before Schrecker nailed a three-pointer with time running down on the clock, making it 47-41.

However, back-to-back three pointers brough the Elite Sports Academy to within one point of the Hoopers NY with 9:46 to go in the tilt. The Spanish team finally overtook the Hoopers NY, 48-47, with 9:13 left in the game.

But Schrecker drained a basket, followed by the ‘and one’ to tie the affair at 50-50 with 7:59 to go in the contest.

However, Elite Sports Academy went on a 29-16 run to end the game and seal the win for the visiting squad.

“It was hard, it was difficult, but we had to be faster than them and quicker to beat them with speed,” Stella Ziogas, of New Rochelle High School Girl’s team, disappointedly said. “But also trying to use other moves to make sure you were not getting blocked by them. But they were tough today.”

Playing with a fresh reverse of players in the fourth quarter, Schrecker said the Spanish team wore them down, leading to the lopsided final period, and eventual victory.

“I just think that they had so many new girls in there that we did the press and it got us tired,” Schrecker said. “And that became such a hard thing to come back from in the end.”

Schrecker drained a game-best 36 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out four assists, while Ziogas had 18 points, six helpers and made six steals.

Melious sang the praises of both of his young talents in Schrecker and Ziogas.

“She can do it all now and plays both ends” Melious said of Schrecker. “I’m proud of her and she doesn’t realize how much better she can be. She’s like family to me and I treasure her.

“Stella Ziogas is a special talent and ultra competitor,” he continued. “I’m beyond proud of her how she handled herself this year. She showed why she has (several) D1 offers.”

Claudia Jimenez dropped in a team-leading 11 points and Ona Alarcon and Queralt Coromines scored eight points apiece for Elite Sports Academy.

Note: please check out my newly published children’s book, Cha-Cha Chicken Sneeze, on Amazon. Please click the above link to read more about the book and to purchase.

— Jerry Del Priore