CYO Champs: Pictured from left to right are team members Ruby Klein, Sakara Hester-Torres, Claire MacNamara, Allison Riordan, Antonia Gigli, Megan MacNamara, Alyssa Verdino, and coach Laura Bruzzo. Coach Pete Gilbert stands behind them. Mara Stewart, also on the team, is not pictured.
Courtesy Pete Gilbert
Head Coach Laura Bruzzo and Assistant Coach Pete Gilbert could not have been more confident going into the playoffs after the team went 11-1 in the regular season to win the division. The first playoff game was an easy win over St Joseph's of Kings Park by a score of 52-31. Next up were the semi-finals versus St. Vincent's of Elmont, where St. Anthony's held on to finish with a thrilling 35-32 win. The championship game against St. Hyacinth was a nail-biter to the end. Late in the third period, a short jumper by Allison Riordan gave the team a 10 point lead. But St. Hyacinth battled back, going on a 15-5 run to tie it up at 35 all. Sakara Hester-Torres hit a jumper then made a steal and dish to Antonia Gigli, who hit a jumper to give the team a four point lead. But back again came St. Hyacinth to tie it up at 40 all with two minutes left to the game. Then Meghan MacNamara nailed a drive and on the next possession Allysa Verdino cleared the St. Hyacinth miss, and hit a streaking Sakara for the layup and foul to give the team a five point lead 45-40. After St. Hyacinth hit a drive, Sakara made four free throws in a row to seal the win 49-44, giving the championship to St. Anthony's.
- Courtesy Pete Gilbert
