The Bay State Magic had something of a bumpy start to the 2015 travel season, but the pieces are starting to fall into place … and the Magic has some very impressive pieces.
“We started a little slow because we weren’t really playing team ball. That’s starting to come back, so I think we’re going to be fine,” said Coach Jim Wardwell. “We have an athletic team — maybe not the most athletic team, but we’ve got athletes — and we have high IQ players. When we are playing well, we’re very, very competitive.”
The Magic will have a chance to compete against the best when they travel to Charlotte, NC for the 2015 ASGR Summer Basketball Playoff on July 27-30. The event, which will feature many of America’s top club programs, will be held at the Carolina Courts facility.
Bay State has been paced this summer by a talented backcourt that includes the coach’s daughter, Haley Wardwell (2017, 5-10, SG), and Jennifer Worden (2017, 5-10, CG). Wardwell is an outstanding shooter with deep range and a quick release. She is fundamentally sound and very intelligent. Worden is another three-point threat, she knows how to get to the rim, and she is always playing full speed.
“Haley is one of the two or three really good shooters on this team, and we try to get those shooters open looks as much as we can,” the coach said. “Haley is working now, and has been working, on getting to the basket against the best athletes. The Ivy’s love her, and she is getting a lot of interest, but is still looking at her options.
“Jenny can go to the hoop, and she has the outside shot. What she’s working on if making good decisions. In high school, she is the go-to person for her team 99 percent of the time, so it takes an adjustment for her to get back to team ball. Now, she is starting to drive into the lane and then kick it out for an open shot.”