Naples’ Anais Navidad aims for the basket between AOSR’s Charlotte Burgas-Sims, left, and Natalia DiMatteo in the girls Division II final at the DODEA-Europe basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. The Wildcats took the title, beating AOSR 48-29. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany – When the Naples girls took the floor Saturday, three teammates were taller than VaNae Filer.
But when it comes to rebounding the basketball – especially on the offensive end – there might not be anybody better in DODEA-Europe.
Filer scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed a game-high 21 rebounds to lead the Wildcats over the American Overseas School of Rome 48-29, earning a bit of revenge for a championship loss at the hands of the Falcons a year earlier.
Last year’s loss in the Division II finals at the DODEA European Basketball Championships was not lost on the Wildcats.
“I think the difference is we play more as a team this year,” senior point guard Anais Navidad said. “Our coaches keep reminding us: play as a team.”
Filer, a 5-foot-6 sophomore who’s best sport is soccer, fits exactly into a team concept despite her gaudy numbers. As she has all season long, she was a wizard on the offensive boards Saturday, with most of her 18 first-half rebounds coming with her team attacking the basket. Unlike most of the season, a decent amount of those came because she had trouble scoring.
“Part of it was because I guess I was a little nervous,” she said. “But I think we all settled down in the second half.”
By then, the Wildcats had a big lead that was never really threatened. Naples led 11-2 after one quarter and 28-10 at the half.
The Naples Wildcats celebrate their Division II title after defeating AOSR 48-29 in the division final at the DODEA-Europe basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Naples’ Gracie Grannis takes a shot over AOSR defender Nina Neroni n the girls Division II final at the DODEA-Europe basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. Naples won the game 48-29. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Naples’ VaNae Filer shoots over AOSR’s Nina Neroni and Caitlin Duggan in the girls Division II final at the DODEA-Europe basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. Naples won 48-29. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AOSR’s Charlotte Burges-Sims, left, and Nina Neroni fight Naples’ Gracie Grannis for a rebound in the girls Division II final at the DODEA-Europe basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. Naples captured the division title with a 48-29 victory. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AOSR’s Nina Neroni shoots between Naples’ Darcel Shine, left, and Anais Navidad in the girls Division II final at the DODEA-Europe basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. Naples beat AOSR 48-29 for the title. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Filer said she doesn’t have any easy answer why she’s able to get so many rebounds.
“I’m quick on my feet and I just know where the basketball is going to,” she said.
Coach said Jim Davis said it’s probably just not something one can quantify.
“Some people have it,” he said. “I know kids that can jump out of the gym but cannot get a rebound.”
After halftime, Filer found her shooting touch and teammates Navidad, Gracie Grannis and Darcel Shine found her multiple times close to the basket, where a quick bank shot extended Naples’ lead or kept runs by the Falcons in check.
Navidad, who finished with 13 points, and Grannis shared turns running the offense with aplomb, limiting turnovers and AOSR’s chances at making extended runs.
Grannis, a 5-10 guard/forward, had seven points and nine rebounds, and Shine, a 6-1 sophomore, grabbed 10 rebounds. They helped the Wildcats fend off the efforts of the Falcons’ frontline duo of Nina Neroni and Natalia DiMatteo, who combined for 24 rebounds. AOSR sophomore point guard Silvia Goldman was a pest on defense with six steals and led her team with 13 points.
Falcons coach Lillian Aldred said the four-day tournament was emotionally and physically draining for her team and it finally showed.
“We played four big games in a row,” she said. “How many times can you recharge and then still have something left for the best team in the tournament?”
AOSR, with only two upperclassmen on the roster, “will be back” Aldred said. “Next season starts now.”