Saturday, April 19, 2009

Anaheim, California - The Arizona Black Widows captured an unprecedented fourth straight USADB Women’s Championship, 69-59 behind the Black Widows suffocating defense which forced over 18 turnovers, including 10 steals.

During the first few minutes, behind the shooting tandem of Miss 11 and 12, Utah Rapids tried to stay close to the Black Widows.  The momentum did not stay in Utah’s favor for too long once the scoring trio of Ida Dotson, Victoria Crockett and Barbara Hyde took over the game scoring approximately 50% of the Black Widows score.   Utah trailed since the score of 4-4, and never recovered.

Coach Wuertz employed the strategy of sending five fresh players every so many minutes.  The strategy paid off since the Rapids had a bench of two players ready to go.  Not only that, throughout the game, the Black Widows wowed their loyal fans with dazzling moves as Dotson and Decuir tutored the rookies, Lanning and Hummel, on how to weave their way in and out Utah’s defense, making jaw-dropping passes to their post players.  The experienced post players stepped up with hard rebounds and second chance shots.  Even the Black Widows bench was very deep. 

In addition to the eight veterans, the Black Widows showcased two rookies in Nixo Lanning and Buffy Hummel.  The veterans needed all the sparks provided by the rookies to keep Utah at bay.

Enroute to their fourth straight championship, Arizona defeated Utah Eagles 61-10 and WSAD 90-48 (??) to earn their way into the championship game.

Box Score:

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Arizona Black Widows captured their second straight USADB women’s championship 80-67 behind the two-punch scoring combination of guards Ida Dotson and Victoria Crockett. Dotson poured in a game high 27 points while Crockett complemented her with 22 points along with 7 rebounds.

The Black Widows never were seriously threatened by the dazzling DC Hawks, featuring several of the best Deaf prep basketball players of recent years. In fact, Dotson, Crockett and Jen Decuir practically were at ease making their way in and around the DC Hawks to score on a variety of moves, be it jumpers, lay-ups or offensive putbacks.

The Black Widows had three cagey vets in Laura Edwards, Paula Hamblin and Janel Birrenkott who combined in shutting down the DC Hawks’ frontline. Their tenacious defense was the catalyst in their victory.

Arizona defeated WSAD 101-73 to enter their 3rd consecutive USADB Championship game while DC defeated Utah 72-43. The DC team was sponsored by USADB Sponsor, Hawk Relay.

Box Score:

Arizona Black Widows 80 - DC Hawks 67

Arizona Black Widows: Dotson 27, Crockett 22, Decuir 16, Edwards 5, Birrenkott 4, Decker 4, Hamblin 2,

DC Hawks: Rewolinski 16, Biskupiak 10, Nowak, Beechy and Virnig 9, Berrigan 8, Spiegel 4, Lehmann 2

(Credit goes to USADB for the article)