Jaden Yamamoto, Maria Iannone and Sophie Brydon will be swapping their Penticton Power basketball jerseys for Zone 2 threads when they compete in the 2016 Abbotsford Summer Games, July 21 to 24.
“I was pretty excited,” said Yamamoto, when told she made the team. “As soon as I got the call I texted Maria and Sophie and we were excited together. I was hoping to make the team.
“It’s a good way to represent the community and it’s fun to do with your friends,” she continued. “It’s fun to share the experience with your friends.”
Yamamoto will help form what she said looks to be a strong Zone 2 team. She looks forward to facing different players and developing her skills against each zones best players. Yamamoto, who plays the post position, said she is good at getting the ball, shooting and is strong defensively.
Yamamoto, who also played for KVR this year with Iannone and Brydon, likes everything about the sport, adding being athletic is key and to “put your heart on the court.”
This will be Iannone’s second Games and said it’s “really cool” for her to be able to go again. In Nanaimo in 2014, she helped the Zone 2 soccer team win gold.
“This time will be more exciting. I know most of the girls,” said Iannone. “Two (Yamamoto and Brydon) of them are my best friends. Going with friends adds to the fun.”
When the tryouts were finished, Iannone was nervous. She was worried about what the coach would say on the phone. Now Iannone looks forward to everything about the 2016 Abbotsford Summer Games — the experience and hanging out with her friends and making new ones.
Iannone, a point guard, has the ability to bring the ball up court quickly and a strong defensive mind.
Like Iannone, Brydon is also playing in her second Games. She played on the netball team in Penticton in February that earned a bronze medal. Brydon hopes to become a better basketball player, but also make friends.
On the court, she brings an aggressive approach as she loves playing with pace. She also likes to pass the ball and force a path to the basket. She doesn’t shy away from contact so she can corral rebounds, though she considers herself a defensive player.
Opponents will need to be wary of her as she isn’t afraid to use her elbows to create room.
“It’s intense and it makes you energetic, the drive to win,” said Brydon of what she likes about basketball.
