KNOXVILLE – The 25th anniversary weekend celebration of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame was highlighted by the third edition of the AAU 3on3 National Championships.
This year’s AAU event was expanded to include women’s junior college teams from the NJCAA along with the regular high school and middle school divisions.
The two day AAU event was played before Saturday night’s women’s basketball Hall of Fame induction. The 2024 class includes player Seimone Augustus, veteran player Rita Gail Easterling, player Taj McWilliams-Franklin, player Maya Moore-Irons, official Violet Palmer, coach Sue Phillips and coach Ronnie Scovel. All were inducted at the historic Tennessee Theater in downtown Knoxville before an audience of coaches, family and friends.
All the participants of the AAU 3on3 event were provided tickets for the WBHoF induction by the National Girls AAU Committee and event coordinator Jerry Codispoti.
The Middle School final between Nothing But Net (TN) and the Philadelphia Belles (PA) ended with time running out to give the Netter’s a 18-16 victory.
The high school division showdown between the highly rated Cali Shine from California and last year’s regional champion, Top Gun/Sol (TN) featuring 6-3 freshman Lauren Hassel. The reigning champs took a quick lead before buckets from sophomore guard Aliyahna Puff Morris helped close the gap. Hassel then took over the game with inside moves with either hand to give Top Gun/Sol a lead they lost for a 21-14 win. This game avenged their earlier lost to Cali Shine the day before, 19-18.
The new Junior College (NJCAA) division consisted of eight 4-player teams from different areas around the country. This was a huge opportunity for these players and coaches to not only visit the hall and partake of the induction ceremonies but allow them to compete in front of other college coaches and scouts. It was extra opportunity for these players to be recruited after the season in a fast-paced have court environment.
The Juco final between Team Jason Bonde and Team Rosalie Hayenga was quickly ended with Team Bonde taking the gold with a 25-18 win over Team Hayenga after playing the entire 10-minute game.
Other participating Juco teams were: Team Darryl Watkins, Team Misty Opat, Team Precious Ivy, Team Jasmine Coleman, Team Jeff Allen and Team MJ Baker.
The addition of NJCAA teams this year added a bigger emphasis on exposure and recruiting for these players in this new window for recruiting. Many of these players serve as additional choice for colleges looking for immediate help beside the portal.
The AAU and the WBHoF is looking forward to expanding the event next year to bring more teams and additional exposure opportunities to the Hall , AAU Girls Basketball and the NJCAA event.
NOTE: Blue Star Media was happy to be one of the Event Floor sponsors for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame / AAU 3on3 National Event including the NJCAA 3X Championship.
