Team Fowles Eye Fila Nationals
The summer of 2013 will be a new season with a new coach for the Miami Suns Team Fowles, but the 10 athletes on the squad will be out to defend a long-standing tradition of excellence. One important stage where Team Fowles will hope to prove it is equal to the pedigree will be at the Fila Nationals in July.
The Fila Nationals will be played from July 5-8 in Atlanta. The Fila Nationals annually bring together 100 of the finest travel teams in America.
The Miami Suns’ tradition of was born over a decade ago when a talented team scorched the summer circuit with a perfect record. The two stars on that team– Sylvia Fowles and Erlana Larkins — went on to collegiate success, and they are now both in the WNBA. And, they are both giving back to the organization that helped start their careers. Fowles completely funds the Suns team that bears her name, and Larkins is the sponsor of the Suns’ ninth-grade elite squad.
“We are so grateful that two of our former players are still involved with helping kids through our program,” said Suns director Miguel Diaz. “It’s a special situation, and we all appreciate what Sylvia and Erlana are doing.”
Last year, Team Fowles upheld the Suns’ tradition by winning the AAU Nationals, and five of those players earned Division I scholarships. This year’s edition will be under first-year head coach — and former Notre Dame standout — Erika Haney.
“One of my passions is to give back to the younger players, and I think this will be a great experience,” Haney said. “I want to help these kids go to the places I’ve been. I want to help them achieve their dreams. I’m excited, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Team Fowles will be led on the court by point guard Shakoa Edwards, a 5-2 athlete who is rated as the No. 520 prospect in the class of 2014 by the All Star Girls Report.
“Shakoa is the heart and soul of our team,” Haney said. “She got some great experience last year, and she is hungry for more success. She has quickness and speed, and she knows how to lead a team.”
Team Fowles has plenty of talent to lead, including Keyanna Harris (2014, No. 98, 5-11, WF), Aisha Edwards (2014, No. 113, 5-7, G), Beatrice Mompremier (2015, No. 26, 6-5, C) and Crystal Primm (2015, No. 98, 5-10, G).
“Keyanna has a great body and great athleticism, and she can do a lot of things for us on both ends of the court. She is a coach’s dream,” Haney said. “Aisha is very, very tough to stop on the offensive end. She has tremendous range on her shot, and she just knows how to score. Beatrice is just awesome. She is so mobile that she can guard on the perimeter, and she works hard on the inside. Beatrice just needs to realize just how good she can be. Crystal is an explosive athlete who is an amazing all-around player.”
