GA Nike Elite had already traversed one of the most difficult - not to mention surprising - roads to the championship game in the seven-year history of the Garden City Roundball Classic.
The Atlanta team's effort in Sunday's championship game, though, was arguably more impressive.
This time, they had to play from behind. And Brittany Carter filled the role of hero in a 50-46 win over DFW Elite Gold (Texas) at North Augusta's Riverview Park.
"I felt like that's what I had to do to bring my team back. I had to step up and play that role," said Carter, the University of Georgia-bound team leader who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
"Everybody contributed, everybody played their hearts out. And that's what we needed."
The victory secured the title in the 16-and-under Super Division, the elite division in the tournament which featured 100 teams from 10 states.
An early loss in pool play hurt GA Nike Elite's seed, but the team beat the defending champion Orlando (Fla.) Comets Red in the quarterfinals, stifling dominant center Krystal Thomas in the process.
Then, GA Nike Elite came up with a buzzer-beater for a two-point victory over the Essence, which had won all five of its games before Sunday morning's semifinals.
DFW Elite Gold advanced to the final by knocking off Boo Williams, regarded as the tournament favorite, despite losing to the squad in pool play by double digits. That followed Saturday's quarterfinal win over the hometown GA/Lina 76ers, which put together a 4-2 record and placed Arkansas-bound Shanita Arnold on the all-tournament team.
However, DFW and standout guard Brooklyn Pope, one of the Top 5 prospects in the 2008 class, could not handle the slow tempo put on by GA Nike Elite.
Pope finished with just eight points after getting in early foul trouble, as did her DFW teammates, who put GA in the bonus just six minutes into the 16-minute first half.
While Carter got most of the attention, 6-foot-4 center Lindsey Mason played a strong supporting role.
GA Nike Elite used Mason's height advantage early and often, and the rising junior came through, scoring 14 points and dominating on the defensive end.
Despite the tough defeat, DFW coach Marques Jackson was gracious, not only to GA Nike Elite but to everyone involved with the event.
"I take my hats off to GA Elite; they played a great game," Jackson said. "It was a great tournament. Our kids loved it, and it's only going to make them better because it was great players all the way around."
Reach Justin Williams at justin.williams@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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