Fifth-grade CYO hoops team claims Long Island

Fifth-grade CYO hoops team claims Long Island

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The St. James’ fifth-grade CYO basketball team went 14-0 this season. Photo by Bruce Larrabee

The St. James fifth-grade CYO girls’ basketball team pulled away with a come-from-behind victory for its first Long Island championship title on Feb. 6, to finish the season with a perfect 14-0 record.

Center Catie Edson scores to help her St. James’ fifth-grade CYO basketball team take its first lead in the fourth quarter. Photo by Bruce Larrabee
Center Catie Edson scores to help her St. James’ fifth-grade CYO basketball team take its first lead in the fourth quarter. Photo by Bruce Larrabee

In the finals, held at St. Bernard’s in Levittown, the girls took on a tough St. Patricks team from Smithtown, and outscored its opponent 26-23, for the win.

St. James was behind the whole game, going into the fourth quarter down 21-11. The girls went on a 15-point run while holding St. Patricks to just two points in the final stanza, for the win. The team always plays an aggressive, gritty defensive style of basketball that made the team unbeatable all year.

The team, consisting of Gianna Hogan, Maggie Murray, Bailee Williams, Pearl Kenny, Fiona Catsoris, Meghan Nagle, Julia Greek and Catie Edson, are led by head coach Diane Fitzpatrick and assistant coaches Margot Murray and Paul Greek.