STORY & PHOTOS BY CHRIS HANSEN

ROCK HILL, S.C. - The adidas Super South Showcase saved its best game for the championship as Exodus NYC went toe-to-toe with TeamXpress from Texas. The game was incredibly competitive, physical and well played by both and the 60-54 victory for Exodus wasn’t secured until the final minute.

The game featured some of the tournament’s top 2009 players. TeamXpress’s Kyra Crosby led all scorers with 18. Her physical and spirited play against a taller front line headlined by 6-foot-4 shot blocker Christine Huber sparked her team’s big run after it trailed most of the first half. Her desire and determination around the basket also ignited 6-2 post Lyndsey Cloman who chipped in ten points. The two were doing so much damage a couple of the Exodus guards challenged their interior players by telling their teammates they were getting “punked”.

Shenneika Smith elevates to the basket.

Xpress had everything going its way until its free-throw shooting went sour and an unlikely hero stepped up for Exodus. Most would expect highly regarded shooting guard Shenneika Smith to be the go-to player on this stage but her backcourt mate, Bria Hartley, really kept things together and showed that the departure of an outstanding 2008 class backcourt of Samantha Prahalis (Ohio State) and Krystal Parnell (undecided) wasn’t going to keep Exodus from its usual spot at the top of the adidas circuit.

Hartley, a 5-9 guard from the 2010 class, handled and distributed the ball down the stretch and poured in 17 points. The shifty kid from North Babylon High School played with poise, showed tight handle and the ability to dribble-penetrate. She also heeded her coach’s request when Apache Paschall told her it was time for her to take over the game.

Exodus also had a great performance from Jelleah Sidney, who was more of a role player on last year’s squad. This year she is showing she can play at a high level and be a big-time player on both ends of the floor. The 6-2 Sidney plays for St. Michael’s Academy, which also is coached by Paschall. She scored 10 points but more than that was very active in the paint and showed that when she turns it on she can defend just about anyone.

Aiding Exodus was its solid defense against TeamXpress’s top perimeter scorer Meighan Simmons. Simmons had a fantastic tournament but was held to seven points in the game. She hit a 3-point bomb in the opening minute of the game and didn’t get a great deal of clean looks the rest of the game. The 2010 scoring guard from Steele High School was truly one of the gems in the tournament.

Kyra Crosby ready to sky to the basket.

Huber, from St. John the Baptist, was also solid the entire tournament. She scored nine points and helped defend the two bruisers from TeamXpress. She scored two big buckets down the stretch - an elbow jumper that was all net and a smooth drop-step hook even though she was pushed off the block. More than the number of points scored was the timing.

As a team, Exodus has some very complementary parts that should have them competing with the best again this year. Along with its strong perimeter presence, Huber and fellow 6-4 forward Chelsea Davis and her physical style of play, the team has a solid and talented core. The team’s role players like point guard Jael Pena from Christ the King who comes in and gets the scorers the ball as well as Milan Germany of Patterson High School who gives Exodus size and agility to score inside and out, as a team they can do a lot of damage.

Exodus truly earned the championship. On top of beating a very good TeamXpress squad in the Under-17 division it defeated perennial West Coast powerhouse FBC-Blue on Saturday to reach the semifinals. FBC is never an easy out and with a front court of DeNesha Stallworth (Cal verbal) and Talia Caldwell, the team has the talent to beat anyone on any give night. Exodus also went through a talented Minnesota Stars team in the quarterfinals.

In the Under-16 championship, Ashley Wilson (Purdue verbal) and Full Package Lady Lightning outlasted the Wallace P Celtics. Full Package also claimed the Under-15 division championship with great tournaments from 2011 sensations Michala Johnson and Angela Rodriguez. Both teams could have competed well in the U-17 division.