Gillies going for national title again
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 7, 1999
MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / July 7, 1999
LAPLACE – Amy Gillies is used to making road trips this time of the year.
For the third straight summer, Gillies will be playing in a national basketball tournament with the Southern Belles AAU organization. TheBelles will be competing in the AAU National Invitational Championships to be held July 12-18 in Memphis, Tenn.
A year ago, Gillies traveled with the Belles to the NIC tournament in Orlando, Fla., where they placed eighth in the country. In 1997, she helpedthe Belles place second in the state and fifth in the nation.
“It was fun,” Gillies said of playing for the Belles the past four years.
“It’s helped me a lot. The competition is harder there. It’s been veryexciting.”Gillies completed a stellar career at St. Joan of Arc School in 1998.Besides playing for the Vikings and the Belles, she competed in the parish Biddy Basketball league. She began playing basketball at age 9 for F.O.R.C.E.Recreation.
Gillies attended Dominican High School in New Orleans this past year. Shewas ineligible to play varsity basketball but played on the junior high team. After the season was over, she received the team’s Lou Riley awardas the most spirited player.
“I’m looking forward to playing this year,” Gillies said of her sophomore year.
But first there is the trip to Memphis. The Belles qualified for the NIC bycompeting in the 14-year-old girls’ AAU state tournament held in St. JohnParish earlier this month.
The Belles, the hosts of the tournament, opened play with a 49-41 victory over the New Orleans Domino’s B team. A 73-41 loss to the LouisianaShooting Stars put the Belles into the loser’s bracket where they defeated St. Bernard by forfeit. Family Players eliminated the Belles with a 60-45win in the next game. Despite the loss, Gillies said she had fun playing thetournament.
“It was easier, we didn’t have to travel as far,” Gillies said.
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