The 8th grade girls will have the opportunity for a storybook ending, as they punched their ticket to the championship for the second time in three years with a 36-15 victory over St. John.
Nerves got the better part of the girls in the 1st quarter, as right off the jump ball, they were slow to get to a loose ball by the basket, and the other team took advantage and scored the first two points of the game.
That trend continued midway through the first and the girls were in a 8-3 hole.
Following a timeout, Jamie banked in a 3 pointer to cut the lead to two, and the girls started to create some momentum the rest of the half.
They held a 12-10 lead with 10 seconds to go, but couldn't grab a rebound, and the other team tied it up at 12-12 heading into halftime.
Then came arguably the two best quarters the girls have ever played in their St. Mary's career. All six of the girls wearing red shifted into high gear and a tie game at the break became a 21 point laugher when it was all said and done.
In the second half, the 8th grade outscored St. John 24-3, including a 12-0 run in the 3rd quarter that put the game to bed.
There was no slowing the girls down even after they built their lead. It was a fast break clinic in the 4th quarter as the girls executed so well in transition, highlighted by Fiona and Victoria both going coast to coast with impressive lay-ups.
Jamie led the team, which saw every girl score, with a game high 13 points. Fiona had 8 points and Lily 7 points.
After a disappointing loss in last year's playoffs, the girls had their best regular season to date going (7-1), and will have a chance to close out their St. Mary's career with a championship title. Game time Wednesday night is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at St. Emydius.
Fiona and Victoria, who have been with the team since 3rd grade, will be wrapping up their sixth and final basketball season. The two girls started their career a collective (0-16), not winning a single game in their first two seasons. Jamie was also part of the 4th grade team that went winless.
These girls have worked so hard and for so long, and a win in their final game will be nothing short of a fairy-tale ending.
GAME NOTES: A nice crowd showed up for the game with celebrities Mr. Lee, Miss Pendleton, Al Lee, Isabella, Ryan Kwong, Jason Ng, Jason Zhao and Jacqueline all in attendance...Kelly scored 4 points and Victoria and Rebecca both added a bucket each...St. Mary's girls 8th grade basketball teams have made the championship game nine times in the last 10 years...It will be Leslie's fourth championship game appearance as a coach...This will be Lily's third straight championship game appearance...The girls last appeared in a basketball championship game in 2012.
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