I know it's been awhile since the last post.  I had a lot going on with work and home.  Just want to take this time to thank everyone for their kind words and support on the loss of Kev & Kris's Grandpa.  It is very appreciated and the family is doing fine - we know he is resting comfortably now.

WLA Tourney - The Tiger Darlings participated in the WLA Tourney playing in a modifed 5th/6th grade division.  The Tigers played all 6th grade teams in the tourney starting off with the FOR Sparks.  The Sparks were a big, physical team that has greatly improved since the girls last played them in SBY (they had to turn off the scoreboard in that game..).   Behind a big scoring game from Emiko and good scoring contributions from Jodi, Shelby, Kris and Lauren and with the great defense/rebounding of Erica and CC the Tigers defeated the Sparks 45 - 29. 

Next up was the WLA Wild Sparks - the host team.  The WLA team is another tall and pretty fast team that also greatly improved.  They have been getting some big wins in league play per my "source".  The WLA girls played extremely tough and physical against the Tigers.  They crashed the boards and were not intimidated.  It was a close game throughout but again the balanced scoring with Shelby, Emiko and Kris scoring in double figures with Jodi close behind, the girls kept the WLA team at arms length.  Shout out to Erica who was getting bounced like a pinball in the paint but managed to get her share of rebounds like always.  CC also hit a clutch shot and did her thing clogging up the middle.  In a tough game, the Tigers win 46 - 37 officially.  WLA really scored 35 but the scorekeepers were generous... : )  Great game for the girls.

The championship game was against a tough San Fernando Sparks team.   A upper echelon 6th grade team that played a tough man defense.  The game was a defensive struggle.  The Tigers played a good first half and had the lead behind the scoring of Jodi, Kris and Shelby.  The 2nd half the Sparks pulled ahead behind their press and getting a few easy scores by breaking the girl's press.  The Tigers made a late run to tie the game behind Shelby, Jodi and Emi's scores.  In an exciting finish, the game ended in a tie and went to o/t.  The girls had their chances but just couldn't get the ball to go down.  S.F. made a free throw in o/t which was the difference and won 24 - 23.  Great game for the girls, they easily could have taken this game but S.F. had the experience and it showed in o/t. 

Tigers finished 2nd in WLA 6th grade division!  Great Tourney Girls!  Thanks to Lauren Saiki from the 4th grade team who played with the girls and did a GREAT JOB!

FOR Tourney - Well, nothing great to write about this tourney.  The girls let a 11 point lead go with about 10 minutes left in the game and lose to FOR BTR by 3 or so.  The girls went ice cold in the 2nd half while the BTR team was hot and killing the girls on the boards and outhustling them.  A theme for the rest of the tourney sad to say.

Next up the Norwalk Waves, a rising team that has size, speed and a star talent.  The Waves jumped out to an early 10 - 12 nothing lead and it was all uphill for the girls from there.  The girls fought back to get within 5 or so late in the 2nd half but the Waves made big shots to win the game 34 - 25.  The Tigers got killed on the boards (again) and had trouble scoring.  Emiko and Kayla led the team in scoring but getting scores was difficult.

The final "Friendship" game was against the Sabers.  Another fiesty, fast but small team.  The girls handled them pretty easily in JAO but this weekend was another story.  The Sabers battled the girls tough from start to finish.  The Tigers played much better in this game with Kayla hitting a couple of threes and Emiko taking the ball to basket for scores.  But the team still got outrebounded by a smaller team which kept them in the game.  The Tigers win a close game by 5 or so.  Friendship Champions! : )

Analysis of the FOR tourney?  Hard to imagine how the team came from playing so well in WLA against 6th grade teams to playing... not so well this weekend.  I guess it does happen and obviously not being able to full court press hurt the girls where they would usually get  8 - 10 points off the press and it does make them more aggressive.  Their half court offense was not effective this weekend and looked pretty slow.  But their biggest hole/achilles heel is rebounding.  For being a team on the tall side - the girls get constantly outrebounded.  And especially this weekend, it really hurt the team.  As Eric says, maybe the girls are too nice.  Eric, I think you need to teach the girls your brand of justice!  : )  Rebounding is a team effort and the girls should focus on this.  I don't know if it is technique or attitude, probably a little of both but if the girls don't improve in this area... They could have more weekends like this one. 

But it looks like this weekend will be a good learning experience for the girls.  It's always good to get knocked off the high horse once in awhile.  But the reality is the other teams are getting better and are closing the talent gap quickly.   

Good Luck girls in the Tigers Tourney!  Oh, and REBOUND!!