27167862
Many youth teams would be satisfied with winning four games over three days, especially at a national Amateur Athletic Union tournament in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
The Philadelphia Comets girls’ basketball wanted to prove they could stand among the best-of-the-best in a 48-team field. When the group of 10- and 11-year-olds found themselves in a 30-8 halftime deficit to the Atlanta Select, coach Letty Santarelli, of Broad and Bigler streets, knew her squad had the drive to make it competitive. Sure enough, the opposition tallied just eight second-half points, making the final score 38-26. Despite the defeat, the team garnered a new perspective.
The Comets returned home earlier this month with a very respectable 16th-place finish at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
"The girls played very hard," Santarelli said of the game against Atlanta, adding her team dove for balls during the final minutes. "It was our first loss and we’re not used to losing, but the kids overcame their challenges and came back to play our game."
Arriving in Disney World two days before the tournament, the Comets had time to explore the Magic Kingdom, where they had lunch at the Crystal Palace on Main Street, and enjoyed some fun at Hollywood Studios before hitting the court. When game day came, the girls thought little of Mickey and more about how they would defeat the Tennessee Stars.
"Once the game came, there was no more parks," the coach said, noting the willingness to play, even at a young age. "They’re only 10 and 11 years old. They had to get that out of their system, but they were ready to play."
Alexis Santarelli, the coach’s daughter, said she preferred the games over the parks, giving her the opportunity to improve as a 5-foot-4 forward when she was put up against towering opponents.
Erica Brown, of 18th and Barbara streets, shared the all-business approach, adding her favorite part was playing basketball with teammates that she was able to form new friendships with.
Though Brown and Alexis Santarelli have played together since the second grade at St. Richard’s, 1826 Pollock St., being a Comet gave the athletes a chance to bond with teammates from outside the neighborhood. Going to Florida just solidified the unit.
"I think because of the friendships they’ve developed they have a lot of discipline," the coach said. "The kids got attached. They even miss each other now because we did everything together."
Aside from wandering around Disney, the players ate meals together and spent the downtime observing other teams. Their coach emphasized the importance of rest, since the games were more physical than anything the team had faced back home. To be on par with their adversaries, Brown said the sweat the team put into the game had to increase.
"We had to work really hard to beat [teams]," Brown said, noting her favorite was a win over the Florida Angels. "We had to run faster, get better at being aggressive on defense, dribble and pass the ball more.
"We were playing the best teams from other states and you’ve got a very competitive group," the coach said. "The girls are talented and skilled at their level, but each game was so physical and conditioning-wise, tiresome."
The dedicated players earned a spot in the double-elimination championship bracket as a result of its four victories in pool play.
The system paid off in the form of a Malvern Summer League championship following the excursion to the house of the mouse.
