July 2, 2008
Botetourt Outlaws head to nationals in Orlando
The Botetourt Outlaws are off to the National Division 1 U-10 AAU basketball finals and they have raised money and high hopes for the competition against 59 other teams the week of July 11-19 in Florida at the Disney Complex.
submitted photo Larry Fresh
Emmalee Helms participates in a drill during Outlaws practice.
The Outlaws began the season last December and under the coaching expertise of Donald Helms of the Cloverdale area, the girls team is well on its way to what can be described as a fantastic season. Over all their record is 22-11 in what is best described as a long season. They won the state championship this Spring. Most lately they have played in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia.
Coach Helms said he is impressed with the level of play and the AAU moral of less parental interference during games.
The players for 10 and recently turned 11 year olds, are incredible shooters and ball handlers. They knock back three pointers like crazy and fearlessly attack the basket. Watching them practice is a treat because of the skill level in such young girls. Most of the players are from Botetourt County, but they have one from Goshen and others from Roanoke and Salem.
Assistant coach Larry Fresh and Jerome Stephens the scorekeeper, also help with the team and since the state finals, parents and kids have been raising $12,000 with sponsors to help with the costs of the team traveling to Orlando. They have held a car wash, a pancake breakfast, Wendy's bucks, bake sale, doughnut sales and asked for community sponsorships.
"We are flying on Allegient Air for the tournament," said Wendy Coleman whose daughter Baylee is playing AAU ball for the first time.
Members of the Outlaws are: Emmalee Helms, Baylee Coleman, Emily Amos, Megan Migliarese, Morgan Leeson, Keely Fresh, Asia Stephens, Tay Tay Stevens, Gracie Doane, Bre Jefferson and Precious Coles.
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