2024 CYO 8th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School
Home Team: St. Pius X
Coaches Ted Stark, Trond Williams
Players: Alexa, Anna, Catherine, Emma, Lauren, Samantha, Zea
Mascot: Panthers
Visiting Team: All Saints
Coaches: Kevin Wellnitz, Sarah Wellnitz, Kevin Kriesien
Players: Alexa, Chloe, Failenn, Grace, Harper, Katherine, Quinn, Sophie, Stella
Mascot: Ramblers
Game Highlights:
All Saints and St. Pius X began the game with a photo of both teams together symbolizing the friendships that have been built over the years in competitions between the teams. The gesture was a tribute to both programs.
All Saints sunk a 3 pointer to get the game started and the two teams were off to the races. St. Pius outscored the Ramblers by 2 to end the first quarter. In the second quarter, All Saints tightened their game, held onto the ball and ended the half ahead by 7.
The third quarter saw the Panthers claw their way back and tie the game with 2 minutes left in the quarter. St. Pius X took the lead after a 30 second timeout with Coach Ted Stark. St. Pius went ahead until All Saints tied it back up with 20 seconds to go then sunk a three pointer at the buzzer for a 3 point lead going into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, “The Game”, All Saints went ahead by 6 while St. Pius X continued to work away at the deficit. With four minutes left the Panthers cut the lead by 2. Lauren for the Panthers sunk a three to bring it within 1 then All Saints sunk another deuce to keep a three-point margin. Alexa drew a foul but could not convert any points then fouled on the rebound leading to Panther free throws. With two minutes left, Lauren made one of two and All Saints got the rebound. Emma went back to the free throw line for the Panthers, made one and it was All Saints ball, one point difference.
The panthers stole the ball and headed down the court scoring two to put St. Pius ahead by 1. Pius played catch till fouled with 20 seconds left in the game. Zea missed the first, sunk the second and All Saints again could not hold onto the ball giving it up to Pius and fouling to keep the game alive. Samantha goes to the line and sinks one, misses one now a three point lead and Lauren goes to the line for Piux. She misses both her free throws and All Saints cannot get the ball to the other end of the court to score. St. Pius X wins the 8th grade girls championship by three in a great game.
Quarter 1: St. Pius X 10 – All Saints 8
Quarter 2: St. Pius X 12 – All Saints 19
Quarter 3: St. Pius X x – All Saints x
Quarter 4: St. Pius X 40 – All Saints 37