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This year a record breaking 80 teams have registered for the 2010 NACBAIT. With Championships to be won in 9 divisions, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Written By: Mike Mon
The SF ArcAngels are back and looking for a threepeat, as well as their 4th overall title. Captain Irene Wong is bringing back a group that is poised for success. Sisters Kelly Tiao (UCLA, NACBA Top 10) and Tracy Tiao (2009 MVP) give Frisco size and skill along their frontline. With a backcourt of Jen Sze, Shorty Ty, Melanie Wong, and the free agent signing of former Red Coach lead guard Angie Wong (Cal-Berkley), the guard rotation will be top notch. Throw in the addition of veteran player/coach Dar Yee, and the ArcAngels looks like the team to beat. Toronto CCYAA has reached the Finals in 3 of the past 4 years, but has fallen in the final game to the ArcAngels in the past 2 campaigns. CCYAA won this year’s Pre-NACBAIT Classic in an undefeated barnstorming, as MVP Janice Lui (Seneca) showed that she could be a key player this year. Toronto will once again be paced by NACBA Top 10 MOP Cecilia Chan (Alaska Fairbanks). Christine Vuong (GVSU) will be able to give CC some backcourt relief, while Fiona & Elspeth Cheng (McMaster & Dalhousie) will man the forward slots. Their core should get them back to at least the Final Four, and with home court advantage giving CCYAA a slight edge, this team might be pulling off the big win.
The Toronto Black Dragons are the team that everyone will be watching closely during pool play to see how they mesh. NACBA Top 10’ers Angie Leung (St. John’s) and Danby Wong along with veteran All-NACBA SF Lee Anne Chong, PG Amanda Lum (Univ Toronto) & SG Niveal Pastrana (George Brown) have provided a solid foundation in recent years. The additions of 5-10 PF/C Gillian Maxwell (Waterloo) and All-NACBA 5-10 SG Kimberly Lee (SAIT/2010 CCAA Player of the Year) give the Dragons some bite. But perhaps an even bigger impact may be had by 5-8 PG Rachel Niven (St. Lawrence, 2009 OCAA Player of the Year) as she’s got a fab all around skillset. Any way you look at it, the Dragons probably have the most talented roster in this year’s event. While many onlookers will be watching the Dragons’ every step, LA Aiya is slipping by under the radar. Despite being the winningest team in Women’s NACBAIT history (4 titles), they are in the midst of a Championship drought, not having won one since 2007. But the skills are still there, as almost everyone on this team has NCAA experience. NACBA Top 10’ers Bree Yap (Cal State LA), Debbie Young, and Kristen Welsh (Rio Hondo) are still making waves. Lead guards Sidney Giang (Rio Hondo) and Alice Wang are an excellent platoon. High scoring wings Jessica Liang (Cal-State Dominguez) and Allie Welsh (Rio Hondo) know their roles and fill the scoresheets at will. If they play their game and do what they know they can do, this veteran crew could easily win a 5th title.
Washington CYC China Dolls, under the direction of AAU vet John Chin, are improving each year. They have been on the verge of breaking through to the Semifinals the past few seasons, and this could be the year they return to the Final Four. PG Elsebeth Birman (Bridgeport) is a smooth player and backcourt mate Pui Sham (St. Mary’s) is a consistent 3-point shooter. In the frontcourt, 6-0 Shannon Briggs (Principia College), 5-8 Kalyn Lee (NACBA Top 10), and 5-9 Sunny Chang (2008 All-NACBA) give DC enough height and scoring to compete. A couple new faces will hold the key to the China Dolls’ tourney. 5-10 newbie Lydia Lui will help CYC on the boards, and the additions of a few Philly faces will give the team even more depth: SF Sandy Yu (Penn State Abington, 2009 All-NACBA), athletic F Michelle Chan, and 2007 All-NACBA G Shannon Yu. If superstar Megan Griffith (Columbia) is able to get back from her professional season in Europe, then Washington will be making a good push this year. The Toronto Blackoi won’t be a bunch of pushovers, as Carli Yim, Lydia Kwan, Anne Pastrana, and Kim Ngai will be representing the T-Dot. The NY Sabres Black have struggled the past few years with early exits and dearth of wins, so they’re hoping for a reversal of fortunes this year. The absence of top player Tiffany Lee won’t help, but the addition of 5-5 SG Angelica Sze (CCNY) will make the void a little easier to fill. As usual, PG DJ Liu (Baruch) and SF Maisie Wong (Baruch) will lead the Sabres charge. The final team making the cut into the Women’s Open will be the 2009 Liberty Champion NY Force (formerly NY USAB). MVP SF Cadie Chu (Queens College) is a battle tested standout, and Terry Yip (SUNY Delhi) is a rock. Stephanie Chu has a nice all around game. The additions of C Emily Jiang, 5-9 F/C Nicole Lem, and 2 guard Joyce Li will give the Force an infusion of new faces eager to make their mark on the National stage.
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