Holy Family's 8th grade girls opened defense of their league championship with a hard-fought 40-34 win against Our Lady of Victory (OLV). The game was close throughout, but Holy Family's stingy defense yielded just one 4th quarter field goal to thwart OLV's upset attempt.

Courtney Breen was the game's high scorer (16) and rebounder (11) and also garnered 5 steals. With 8 points Nicole Robison displayed a hot shooting, hard-sinking 4 medium range jumpers. Erin Breen scored 7 points and snatched 7 rebounds; Jennifer Osorio grabbed 7 rebounds and scored 4 points; and Kristen Burgos scored 3 points and snared 4 rebounds. Valerie Ahrens, with 2 points, 4 assists and 4 steals, was brilliant on both ends of the court. Nicole DeGennaro, Loree Bailey and Jackie Vitanza turned outstanding defensive efforts.

Holy Family's 8th grade girls played defensive with such tenacity that St. Bernard's managed just one first half field goal. With Valerie Ahrens scoring 6 points and Nicole Robison scoring 4 of her 6 points in the first quarter, Holy Family raced to a 10-1 lead.

The second quarter belong to the Breen girls as Courtney Breen scored 6 of her game high 13 points and Erin Breen added 4 points. The Breen sisters also dominated the backboards and Holy Family's lead ballooned to 24-3 at halftime.

In the second half, Katie Leo, with 2 points, and Nicole DeGennaro pressured St. Bernard's guards into numerous turnovers, while Jennifer Osorio, Kristen Burgos and Loree Bailey controlled the backboards. Jackie Vitanza played with exceptional hustle and led both teams in floor burns.

As a result of this total team effort, Holy Family cruised to a 31-19 victory. The team is currently 2-0.