A formidable group of western Massachusetts girls basketball players journeyed to San Diego to take on the West Coast at the MSNM Western Championships this past weekend.
Mass Frenzy Black, coached by Ralph Loos, won the prestigious AAU tournament for the first time.
“The best we ever finished was fourth,” Loos said. “We have a tough group of kids. They’ve been playing together since seventh grade so it is a cohesive unit.”
Sophie Gatzounas, of South Hadley, had 18 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game. Mass Frenzy Black beat EBC Elite 17-U Girls Blue 66-58 to secure the Power Pool 2 Tournament victory on Saturday.
The tournament is a showcase for aspiring college basketball players. There were 40 teams throughout the four pools of the tournament. Most of the teams were from the West Coast.
Gatzounas garnered some attention from the Naval Academy, according to Loos.
“This was another step in her progression,” he said. “Once again she saw that she can excel and play at this level.”
Katy O’Connor, of Hampshire Regional, averaged close to a double-double during the tournament.
Kate Sullivan, of Granby, and Sarah Sullivan, of Williston, played large roles for Mass Frenzy Black.
Sarah Sullivan (Great Barrington) was one of the youngest players on the team. Williston guard Sarah Marion (Granby) also played for Mass Frenzy Black.
Mass Frenzy Black began its season in April with a jamboree scrimmage in Northampton. They concluded the AAU season with a 48-5 record.
At the MSNM Western Championships, Mass Frenzy Black lost only once and it came on a last second foul call. Elite Force Blue won 53-52 during pool play.
“This team teaches how to play without being the primary player,” Loos said.
The West Coast tournament presented Mass Frenzy Black with a different, more wide open style of play. Officials called games a little closer as well.
Playing on the East Coast, Mass Frenzy Black’s scoring average hovered between 40 an 50 points. During their western swing that number increased to over 60 points a game. The team had to adjust to a less physical style of basketball.
The coaches, players and some parents pooled funds together to rent a house. The team also played in “The Dream” Tournament (July 23-25) in Anaheim, California.
“The girls raised a lot of money,” Loos said. “Through car washes, concessions and small donations here and there we made it work.”
Renting the house saved the team money on hotels. While the trip was all about basketball, the team did get to enjoy some vacation time activities.
“They went to Universal Studios,” Loos said. “We went to the beach.”
Other members of the Mass Frenzy Black include: Hope Parker (Athol), Karli Retzel (Lee), Gabrielle Carpenter (Brattleboro, Vermont), Addie McLaughlin (Monument Mountain), Anika Helmke (Monument) and Fallon Field (Hoosac Valley).
