“Congratulations to the Saint Dominic’s 8th Grade Lady Bayhawk CYO Basketball team on their resounding victory on Sunday, Feb. 12 against a previously undefeated team from Infant Jesus (Port Jefferson) to capture the NSCYO championship in 8th grade,” said Kevin J. McLaughlin.
Under the coaching expertise of Karen Testa, assisted by Andrew Galgano, the Lady Hawks prevailed in a very hard fought game, 51-43. The game was a real nail-biter throughout and unquestionably a total team effort. So intense was the game that Faith Smith, the Saint Dominic’s all-league point guard, played with what turned out to be a dislocated shoulder for the last 15 minutes of the game!
Controlling the boards and dominating the interior on both the offensive and defensive ends were Desiree Gaeckler and Samantha Molloy. With Christina Testa, one of the Lady Hawks leading scorers, limited by foul trouble, the Lady Bayhawks back court was bolstered by the play of Danielle Sugar and Dana Galgano. Haley Warshaw proved to be a force in the lane, as along with Gaeckler and Molloy, she controlled the boards.
Clutch free throw shooting by Smith, along with Gaeckler’s unstoppable offensive effort, combined with an intense defensive effort proved to be the difference against an Infant Jesus team that had coasted through the regular season and dominated during the playoffs. Coach Testa, who has both played and coached in the Saint Dominic’s CYO for over three decades, is hoping to step-down after this championship run, although the Saint Dominic’s CYO may have other plans for one of the best coaches the program has ever known!
We applaud the 8th grade girls on a tremendous victory and value the sportsmanship that they displayed throughout the regular season and the playoffs.
Next up for the Lady Bayhawk squad is a match-up against the winner of the Brooklyn/Queens CYO team at the Inaugural CYO Classic to be held on Saturday, March 3, at the Saint Dominic’s Msgr. Collins Athletic Center. This all day event, a first time collaboration with NSCYO and the Brooklyn-Queens CYO, will pit the winners of the 5th grade through 8th grade divisions against each other in what will be a basketball junkie’s dream!
The Championship team is comprised of the following members: Desiree Gaeckler, Samantha Molloy, Faith Smith, Danielle Sugar, Christian Testa, Haley Warshaw and Dana Galgano.
In addition to the 8th grade girls, the Saint Dominic’s 5th, 6th and 7th grade girls CYO Basketball teams also made the playoffs. Thanks to the following coaches and their teams on a job well done this year!
5th Grade: Farnk Monteleone/Lucas Williams
6th Grade: Maureen Hardiman/Alex DiMeo
7th Grade: John Pace/Dave Asher
Again, congratulations to all…let’s be there to cheer on the 8th grade girls at the CYO Classic in March!”
