St. Bernard's Senior girls team played one the most extraordinary games Coach Nick D'Ambrosio has seen in 10 years of coaching. The team completed its CYO A division season undefeated (the only A division team to do so.)

St. Bernard's began the final 4 playoff game with only five girls available . One minute into the game point guard Catherine Sbarra (Island Trees) lay on the floor writhing in pain unable to even stand up. Time to mail it in? Absolutely not, these girls not only met the challenge but with incredible effort and heart and an almost perfect basketball game led at the half by 7 points.

The team consisted of Lisa Macchia (Island Trees), Melanie Goetchius (MacArthur), Kerry Milhaven (Our Lady Of Mercy) and Katie Napolitano (St. Anthony's).

Early in the 4th period with St. Bernard's leading by 4 points, two severely questionable foul calls were made on the team's leading scorer and rebounder Lisa Macchia, fouling her out of the game with seven minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. Time for these girls to quit? No way, fighting exhaustion and out-manned St. Bernard's fell behind by 6 points but battled back refusing to quit, playing three against five. With one minute to go, St. Bernard's went to the foul line for a 1 and 1 trailing by 2 points with a chance to tie the game. However the wearied player missed the foul shots and St. Bernard's fell to St. Christopher's who went on to win the Diocesan Championship.

The team's coaches are extremely proud of these girls for the incredible effort, heart, desire and skill that they put forth. Upon the conclusion of the game many parents and coaches from the opposing team dropped by St. Bernard's' bench to offer congratulations and admiration to the girls.

Most people know who the best team really was this year. One respected rival senior coach, who has been around CYO basketball for many years said, that he thought this might have been the best CYO team he has ever seen.

St. Bernard's remaining players were Kristin Alagna (St. Dom's), Carley Lacey (St. Mary's), Kristen D'Ambrosio (MacArthur), and Candace Nupp (St. Dom's).

St. Bernard's was coached by Nick D'Ambrosio and Tom Lacey, who would like to congratulate the girls, thank them for a great season and wish them good luck in their school ball seasons.