Most athletes go to Disney World after winning a championship. But two Boothbay Region High School girls basketball players went to Orlando, Florida, this month to compete for one.

BRHS junior Kate Friant, of Boothbay Harbor, and freshman Faith Blethen, of Boothbay, played for Maine teams during the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) girls’ national championship. Friant’s 10th grade team, sponsored by Maine Basketball Report (MBR) finished second, while Blethen’s Maine Firecrackers won the ninth grade Division II championship.

The AAU National Championships were held at Disney World’s ESPN World Wide Sports Complex. Both Maine teams went undefeated during the early round pool play. MBR was the No. 1 seed in its playoff bracket. MBR advanced to the grade 10 championship game by defeating the Basketball Club of Florida and Mount Holly Stars of North Carolina. The Rhode Island Basketball Club won the championship defeating MBR, 51-41.

While Friant brought home a silver medal, her future high school teammate won a gold. Blethen’s Maine Firecrackers ninth grade team defeated New York City Pumas, 49-39, in the championship game.

The national tournament brings an end to a long AAU season. Blethen’s season began in April. She estimates her team played 50 games. Friant’s season started in March. She estimates her team played 30 games this season. The players also traveled each week to practice. The Maine Firecrackers practiced in either Scarborough or Portland. MBR practiced in Auburn.

Both players enjoyed playing with other top Maine basketball players and competing against other AAU teams. They also like AAU’s up-tempo pace and intensity.

“It’s a lot different,” Friant said. “AAU is faster paced and more aggressive. I really like the style of play.”

Blethen also appreciates AAU’s brand of basketball.

“I like the faster pace, too. You really get after it in AAU,” Blethen said.

Blethen said AAU has created new friendships for her. She especially enjoyed meeting teammate Cumberland’s Anna DeWolfe. The two were playing on the Maine Firecrackers’ eighth grade team earlier this year before joining the ninth graders.

“You play with a lot of interesting players. I met my best friend Anna playing AAU so it has been a great experience.”

The spring and summer competition also has improved the players’ games. Blethen believes playing with and against the nation’s best ballplayers has made her better.

“It has really improved our basketball IQ. The faster pace really makes you think out there,” she said.

The tournament began on July 9. The teams played two games on July 9 and 10. As the tournament progressed, the teams played once a day. MBR played their games in HP Center at the ESPN complex. Maine Firecrackers played in the Jostens Center also located in the ESPN complex. Both said walking into the complex was a “really cool experience.”

“It’s amazing. You walk in there and see that really big globe in the building’s entrance,” Friant said.

The players also toured Orlando during their free time. Blethen enjoyed eating at Benihana, a Japanese restaurant. Friant enjoyed visiting Universal Studios’ theme park.