Grassroots Spotlight: Empire State Blue Flames 16U

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A third of the calendar year 2025 is in the books with April having given way to May. This also means that the opening month of the 2025 club season has also come and gone as teams are coming off of the first live period of the travel season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the many organizations that took part in said initial live period is the [program_tooltip program_id='714688' first='Empire' last='State Blue Flames']. Its teams were in nearby Pennsylvania for its first live period event of the club season. The team, coached by Derek Amalbert and Charlton Clarke, will return to the court next in mid-May at the Select Spring Classic in Manalapan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has three teams for this year's AAU play – a 17U team, a 16U team and a 15U team. We put a focus on its 17U team in an earlier article and now turn our attention to its 16U players.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='959125' first='Addi' last='Valdez']</strong> – [program_tooltip program_id='714688' first='Empire' last='State Blue Flames'] 16U is a very guard-heavy team and Valdez is certainly one of this team's standout backcourt beasts. Even more remarkable is her standing at 5-foot-10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='981847' first='Alexa' last='Caunedo']</strong> – Caunedo's athletic plate is very full. Not only does she thrive as a basketball standout at Northern Valley Old Tappan, she also participates on the volleyball team. She stands at an even six feet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201469' first='Casey' last='McCauley']</strong> – As a 2028, McCauley is playing up in class. She is another representative of the Immaculate Heart Academy program in New Jersey. McCauley particularly flourishes as a defensive standout and 3-point shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coco Lohmiller</strong> – When one plays for a nationally-recognized high school program such as Long Island Lutheran, that automatically makes one high-profile. The LuHi standout is listed at 5-foot-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dalia Interiano</strong> – Interiano participated on a River Dell team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the Section 1 Group 3 tournament. She is a 5-foot-4 guard who excels not only as a scorer but as a ball handler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='835246' first='Ella' last='Peck']</strong> – Peck wrapped up her sophomore campaign with a Northern Valley – Demarest assembling that advanced to the Section 1 Group 3 championship game with Morris Knolls. She particularly thrives as a 3-point specialist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frankie Chiaravalle</strong> – At an even six feet, she prides herself on her versatility and an ability to play at virtually any position on the floor. Chiaravalle was another part of that Rye team that finished the season 21-4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julia Riina</strong> – Riina adds to the guard depth this team provides. She is listed at 5-foot-7 and bolsters a team's rebounding and defensive efforts. Her 2024-25 Ursuline team advanced to the Section 1 3A semifinals against R.C. Ketcham at the Westchester County Center. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='677063' first='Lucie' last='Schell']</strong> – Schell is the third of the Immaculate Heart Academy players on this team. The star sophomore guard put together a very stellar first season with the Blue Eagles following her transfer from Saddle River Day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schedule</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apr. 12-13 – Team Northeast Event – Albany, NY</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apr. 25-27 – Select 40 Session 1 – Pennsylvania</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May. 10-11 – Select Spring Classic – Manalapan, NJ</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May. 16-18 – Select Showcase – Atlantic City, NJ</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jun. 7-8 – Select Prime East – Pennsylvania</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jul. 10-14 – Select Super Showcase – Ohio</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jul. 18-21 – Select 40 Finals - Ohio</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->