Alyssa Sharp and Sophie Larsen celebrate their win in Las Vegas. (submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Hoop dreams

Carlton hoopsters collect gold at Vegas tourney

Jul 25, 2023 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Sophie Larsen and Alyssa Sharp have an amazing opportunity this summer, and are taking full advantage of it.

They’re travelling and playing with Swoosh Canada’s U17 Elite girls basketball team, which won gold this week at the Las Vegas Live tournament and was undefeated (4-0). Larson told paNOW the level of play in the United States is faster and more aggressive.

“It’s just really great to play with the girls and come down here and do some damage. Usually Canadian teams kinda get killed when we come down to these kinds of tournaments so it’s nice to give the US teams a beating for once,” she said.

In the final game, the Swoosh faced a team from New Zealand and won 56-52. Larson hit three three-pointers in the last minute, including the one that sealed the game. Larson feels the tournament and the speed of the game have been really great for her personal improvement.

“We’ve definitely learned to play tougher,” she said.

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Team photo. (Swoosh Canada)

Alyssa Sharp leads the team in rebounding, averaging 13 a game.

“I haven’t seen a lot of bigger girls yet, but they are very physical and like to push around a lot,” she noted.

In addition to their play on the court, the team will get to go to a WNBA game, practice at the Staples center, and go to Universal Studios. Sharp acknowledged her focus at first was solely on playing.

“Now being down here and getting to enjoy the experiences, and see all the new things, has been really great.”

Both Larsen and Sharp are members of the Carlton Senior A team; both enrolled in Global Sports Academy, and are both members of Prince Albert Thunder Basketball. The opportunity to play with the Swoosh came about as Larsen’s uncle coaches the U15 boys team and had mentioned to Coach Ron Hopkins his niece could play. Having coached the team for 29 years, Hopkins said he is very proud of what both girls have done.

“Sophie is a commanding point guard who is level headed to play in any situation I need her in,” he said. “She’s definitely a diamond in the rough.”

The team shows off their championship gold. (SWOOSH Canada)

Hopkins who also 20 years experience coaching at the college level, and a lot of connections, said he is certain Larsen is getting attention from scouts.

Following Wednesday’s trip to Universal Studios, the team will get back on the bus and compete in the Las Vegas Classic which starts on Thursday. All the games can be viewed online.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell