By The TimesLedger
DG Girls Division
Lee’s Jewelers girls basketball team have been crowned champions, beating Ranshaw in two-out-of-three games. Sterling performances by everyone, especially high scorer Katie Brent and glittering baskets by Angelica Carmody, Angela Jurkovic, Lisa Rooney and Rebecca Colligan were all keys to the victory. Gillian Avery glowed at center and sparkling play throughout the game came from the special gems Tanya Kozakis, Lacey Losgar and Jessica Mora.
Ranshaw, although they lost, their total score for the three games was higher than Lee's, but two close games were won by the Jewels. Ranshaw played especially well throughout the season, as they were fueled by the play of Martina Hanovich, Maria Montoya, Kelly and Kimberly Simon, Christine McGrory, Alyssa Diamond, Gina Depperman, and Carmen Mateo.
Ranshaw fell behind early in the game and never gave up and only ran out of time, but they never ran out of gas.
DG Novice Division
This year’s model of the DG Novice Shooting Stars was a study in teamwork and versatility. Many hands playing many positions got the job done. Whether it was guard Rachel Campbell with timely assists and solid team play, guard Suzie Lee draining a jumper from the key or forward Anthony Adreani deceptively quiet, but relentlessly effective on both ends of the court, everyone everywhere made key contributions to a successful run. The season finale was a case in point
Faced with a tough opponent lighting up the scoreboard early, guard Chae Ri You confidently grabbed the opening tip-off and the Stars got ready for action. Center/forward Nick Loccisano, a ferocious rebounder and capable scorer, nailed the team’s first deuce with a solid drive off a wide rebound. Kevin Campbell, the team’s determined twin center/forward, stayed cool and focused and kept things close with a quick jumper off a nice rebound, as the Stars gamely traded points.
As the game see-sawed back and forth, it was the poised and energetic defense of forward Joe Roberti and the intense hustle of forward Angelo Bianchi that kept the game from getting out of hand while the Stars looked for their opportunity. The light turned green when Marc DiPaolo, who did the job at all positions this year, found a hot hand as center and guard, scoring nine points, including the icing basket off a nice feed by Nick L. with a minute remaining, as the Stars won by a score of 14-11.
It’s a game about teamwork and that’s what the DG Novice Shooting Stars were all about, game after game all year long.
