Windham’s Talon wins one-on-one title for second year in a row

Windham senior Sarah Talon plays defense during 
the one-on-one championship game at the Maine
Invite Only Top 30 Skills Basketball Camp held
at XL Sports World in Saco on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7.
PHOTO BY ALLISON TALON

By Matt Pascarella

If you’ve ever seen Windham’s Sarah Talon play during a varsity basketball game, it’s not hard to see why she was picked for Maine’s Invite Only Top 30 Skills Camp. She is definitely one of those players that leaves it all on the court and works very hard to continue to improve her game. During the camp, the invitees compete in a one-on-one “Queen of the Court” championship game. On the weekend of Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 at XL Sports World in Saco, Talon won the one-on-one “Queen of the Court” championship for her second year in a row.

Talon began working with her trainer and now the organizer of the Maine Invite Only Top 30 Skills Camp, Ben Teer, when she began high school. Teer started and now runs the Top 30 Skills Camp.

Talon got her first invite to the camp from Teer when she was in ninth grade. Talon knew from the start “Queen of the Court” was something she enjoyed very much. She considers one-on-one a specialty of hers and often succeeds at it.

Teer said Talon is a true competitor and one of the most athletic and unstoppable guards in Maine. She has tangibles to take over the game whenever she wants.

“Which is why she’s such a good one-on-one player,” said Teer. “Her athleticism, style of play, and skillset sets her apart in one-on-one. She has a killer instinct and is cutthroat; attacking you over and over and over.”

Athletes are selected to Maine’s Invite Only Top 30 Skills Camp by several ways. Teer reaches out to coaches and Amateur Athletic Union directors asking them who they think are top players in each class. Teer hosts online nominations where anyone can nominate who they think deserves it.

He also travels the entire state and watches thousands of athletes compete. He looks at statewide rankings, newspaper all-state teams and conference top awards. Social media also allows Teer to follow the journeys of many of these athletes.

During the weekend, some of the skills Talon worked on was being aggressive on the court and learning ways to never back down from any competition.

When it came to the one-on-one championship, Talon knew if she had won last year, she was capable of winning again this year.

She said her athleticism and confidence played a big role in winning this competition. She knew what her advantages were and used her athleticism wisely.

“It was very nerve racking ... (winning the one-on-one championship) in front of the entire camp. I knew I had a lot of pressure because of last year’s ‘Queen of the Court’ win.” Talon said her experience this year was amazing.

In order to prepare for the Top 30 Camp and the championship one-on-one game, Talon has been working out in the basketball gym, taking hundreds of shots and repetitions every day. She’s also been playing and practicing with her Amateur Athletic Union team, named Attraction.

“This summer has been very important to me in preparation for this winter. I’m hoping for a very fun and successful winter season,” said Talon. <