Injuries put the Domino club of New Orleans in a difficult situation last year. However, the squad battled through those issues and came out stronger.
“Last year we were basically playing with just five players because we had so many injuries. but that team still went 23-6 over the summer,” said Coach Charlie Domino. “This team developed some great chemistry last year, and now we’ve added a big kid. I think we will be ready to be very competitive this year.”
The year will open at the 2014 Deep South Classic, which will be played in Raleigh, NC, on April 25-27. Now in its 17th year, the Deep South Classic annually hosts many of the nation’s elite travel teams in a field that will eclipse 200 squads, and hundreds of collegiate coaches will be on hand searching for talent. The 2014 event will mark the second year that the Deep South Classic has been held at the Raleigh Convention Center. The venue was a tremendous success in its debut last year, with all games played at one site on 18 courts, and it is in a convenient central location.
Coach Dominio will be looking to a trio of players from the Class of 2015 to lead his team. That group includes Cassidy Barrios (6-0, PG), Alissa Adams (5-8, SG) and Madison Futrell (6-0, F).
“Cassidy is as smart as they come, and she is still developing every day,” Domino said. “She runs the offense, and she can score when she needs to. She can penetrate, and she can score with either hand. Alissa is a scorer with a great shot, and she also rebounds and plays defense. She has a very good court sense. Madison was out with a back injury this winter, but she has been cleared to play. She is another smart player, she rebounds, and she is a better than average shooter.”
In addition to Domino’s veteran team, the program will also bring a team with talented 10th graders to the Deep South Classic. The crew will be coached by Jessica Barber, and the key performers will be Regan Bolton (2016, 5-6, G), Paige Franckiewitz (2016, 5-9, G) and Courtney Dawser (2016, 5-5, G).
“We have a lot of good perimeter players,” Barber said. “Regan is a very good athlete, Paige is just a prolific three-point shooter, and Courtney is a point guard with a very good feel for the game and a lot of intensity on the defensive end.”
All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick added his perspective on the Domino standouts:
Cassidy Barrios: “Barrios is a great athlete who could play any of the guard positions. She is an intelligent player, and she can shoot the three.”
Alissa Adams: “Adams is a high IQ player who can score in a lot of different ways. She is just an all-around player.”
Madison Futrell: “Futrell is a left-handed, blue collar type of player. She works hard, and she is a good rebounder.”
Regan Bolton: “Bolton is an intelligent player who has good shooting range.”
Paige Franckiewitz: “She is a combo guard who can put the ball on the floor, and she has a good three-point shot.”
Courtney Dawser: “Dawser is a true point guard. She can orchestrate the team, and contribute on both ends.”