St. Gertrude’s Rising fifth grade basketball team won the Island Garden Championship, finishing the season 19-1: 8-0 in CYO and 11-1 in Island Garden.
St. Gertrude’s coaches went into the CYO summer season expecting to do well, and hoping to win a few games in the 10-game Island Garden summer season. The coaches figured on just gaining experience from playing at a much higher level in Island Garden play.
Little did St. Gertrude’s team know the kind of season they put together in their summer of 2013. With tenacious defense, solid offense and limiting the number of turnovers led this team to the kind of summer season the team just finished: 19 – 1. The season captured the hearts of many of the parents, families and friends. Twice during the season, there were conflicts of games whereby the team had to split to play CYO and IG and won all games involved. St. Gertrude’s carried 13 players this summer to make sure there was enough to field teams when vacation plans were under way.
What a phenomenal summer season as well as the experience gained for the St. Gertrude’s basketball team. The team is comprised of local players from the Locust Valley and Bayville area. Indeed, opposing coaches from the Island Garden area were surprised at how successful a season St. Gert’s had. Teams that participate in the Island Garden summer season generally draw their players from Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.
Players on St. Gertrude’s team are Drew Barstow, Aidan Carrozza, Luke Dellicicchi, Joey Halpin, David Hill, Nathan Kearney, Matthew Klein, Logan Liantonio, John Madsen, Kyle Marshall, Colin McCullagh, John Nardone and Luke Paniagua; coaches, Keith Kearney, Frank McCullagh and Joe Paniagua.
