The Rochester Warriors 13U girls basketball team were crowned the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National champions in Kings Island, Ohio.
Coaches Rodney and Dee Johnson, and assistant coach Teri Proietti combined players from the two teams that they have been coaching for the past four years and guided them to the AAU National title.
The tournament began on July 10, outside Cincinnati. Two players made a tremendous impact while working with their older 14U team. Eighth graders Diona Johnson (Aquinas) and her cousin Cierra Dillard (Gates Chili) joined their sister and cousin Deja Johnson (7th grade) and Amy Hasenauer (Hilton 8th grade), who both are substitutes for the 14U team in most tournaments, on the team.
Also on the squad are Alexis Hutto (Victor), Mackenzie Jones (Brockport), Ashley Oriel (Fairport) Sheila Hawkes (Bishop Kearney), all of whom are eighth grade age, and Dana Watts, a Rush-Henrietta seventh grader.
The Warriors opened the tournament with a 61-37 victory over BMore Hoopsters. High scorers were Diona Johnson with 24 points as Dillard tallied 15.
In Game 2, Rochester crushed the Potomac Valley Vogues, 66-29. Diona Johnson led the way with 23 points as Hawkes collected 12. Deja Johnson chipped in nine points and Dillard added five.
The Warriors faced the Atlanta Cagers Blue in Game 3 and won 73-58. The high scorers against were Diona Johnson with 23 points and Dillard tossed up 15 points.
Rochester won Game 4 versus SC Lady Flames by a 74-41 score. Diona Johnson paced the offense with 28 points as Dillard chipped in 18.
Game 5 was a little closer when the Warriors beat KY Shining Stars, 60-52. Dillard took game honors with 31 points as Diona Johnson added 17.
The Warriors took another close one in Game 6 as they downed SC Stars Navy, 56-50. Diona Johnson netted 25 points with Dillard scoring 14.
Rochester battled the Ohio Lady Hoopsters in a nailed-bitter, winning Game 7 by a 59-57 count. Dillard took team honors with 23 points as Diona Johnson collected 17.
In the championship game, the Warriors defeated S Blizzard Jone, 52-45. Dillard led the team to victory with 24 points. Diona Johnson contributed 10 points.
Webster, N.Y. —
