LBN Roundup: Weathering the Storm

A season-high 10 total teams traveled to Plano for Court 23's Summer Sizzle Shootout, the most of any attending organization including three under the Lady Ballers Nation banner: the Puma NXT Circut team, 10th-grade girls, and 7th/8th-grade girls led by Head Coach Raveon Rodriguez. 

The weekend began bright and early with four teams tipping off in the 8 AM window. The Lady Ballers Puma NXT squad defeated North Texas Evolution in dominating fashion 41-18. Head Coach and LBN Director Heavunli Reese praised her team after the early morning victory, "Morning games are always tough to pull out and it is very easy to lack energy, but these girls came out with energy and executed well. We did all the little things right and were rewarded in the end," said Coach Heav. The Lady Ballers had three games between the Puma NXT, 10th grade, and 7th/8th grade teams in the Saturday morning window, with two wins coming from the Puma NXT team. 

Coach Rodriguez arguably had the game of the weekend for the Lady Ballers with her 7th/8th grade team going down to the wire with NETX Platinum. The second half provided the most fireworks, with four lead changes, five ties, and two 5-0 runs from both teams taking place in the final eight minutes of play.

Coach Rodriguez was not only proud of their play on the floor but was proud of the mental progression they showed. “It takes a lot to play without any substitutes. Yet they stayed engaged no matter how tired they were. This team’s progression over the season has truly shown even when foul counts became a big factor and the girls still played a high level of defense without feeling a sense of deflation. The heart was there and the final score reflected that.”

Coach Reese gave her thoughts after a two-point loss in the opening round of bracket play that would be the Puma NXT team’s only loss on the weekend. She mainly focused on the overall atmosphere in Plano with so much Ballers Nation representation. “It’s always great to be surrounded by our BN family and this weekend you could feel the warmth and support of them all from court to court. I would say it helped the girls as well and the constant support throughout the weekend acted as fuel for the players and staff.” Coach Aaliyah Morgan was also in attendance and echoed the same, “Environments and atmospheres like that are what make this sport and organization so great. To be a player and see the entire coaching staff there behind you really adds more meaning to the term ‘Family’ they wear on their uniforms.”

PHOTOS FROM THE WEEKEND 2024 Court 23 Summer Sizzle Shootout