Written By: Italo Tassara
It was Superstar Ladies’ Night at the East Valley YMCA in Los Angeles, kicking off the XvsX Sports Women’s League games.
These teams were more than ready for an exciting start of the regular season. Good basketball moves, a stunning basketball court, fun times and two overtime thrillers!
There were two games on the schedule opening night and lots to play for. The ladies are playing in a Tournament style cash league where the top two teams will be playing for $3500 dollars in the championship game. The first thriller was the Atlanta Soul (blue uniforms) vs the Milian Modelz (white uniforms).
Both teams started warm-ups with a free throw ritual.
The Atlanta Soul radiated with defense prowess as they huddled before the game, engaging in a clapping ritual that had everyone else in the stands wanting to join in.
The first half was an up and down paced game where both teams held leads, and it looked like the Models were going to take charge of the game – Drew Adelman, #31 on Modelz, had 4 layups in the First Half and a couple of big blocks and big rebounds. There was no stopping her. She was wreaking havoc in the paint, playing like Hakeem Olajuwon or a young Lisa Leslie.
It seemed the Modelz was gonna get the easy win. But by the end of the first half, the Atlanta soul was moving the ball very well, and led by their wing dual of #22, Maranne Johnon and #24, Jenna Bandy were keeping the Milian Modelz on their heels.
The Second Half began with a layup from #22 Johnson who was speedy all game, and the Modelz had trouble defending her. She had a couple of long threes and kisses to the camera. The crowd was loving it. #22, Brittany Lucio (Modelz) got the swish shot, #2, Estela Gutierrez got the and1 by #10 Chelsea Phillips. #31, Jordan Jackson from the Soul had a fast break where the announcer thought she was gonna dunk it, and #8, Brittany Elena, tied it up with a late layup. Both teams had a chance to win it at the end but missed open shots.
In overtime, the rules were first to 5 wins. But this was all Milian Modelz!
The lights were shining bright as #2, Estela Gutierrez stepped up her game and finished off Atlanta Soul with an amazing in traffic layup.
The Milian Modelz were too much at the end. What better finish than Gutierrez with the Kobe grinches sneakers aka basketball shoes to close out the game in true mamba fashion.