Led by budding superstar Jon Fountain, the St. Mary's 6th grade boys basketball team defeated Holy Family of Hicksville 36-27 on Nov. 22 at St. Mary's. Possessing a super-quick, versatile and unusually sophisticated game for a boy his age, Fountain registered 20 of St. Mary's points, scoring on a wide range of drives and short set shots. He was also generous, often looking to set up his teammates which helped Tommy Nolan net six large points and Cullen Molinari sink two important buckets.

Still, the game was actually closer than the final nine point margin would indicate. St. Mary's had taken an 18-12 lead at half-time which Holy Family reduced to 26-22 after three quarters, relying on leading scorer Wood's four baskets. The kids from Hicksville continued to press, grabbing most of the rebounds and sparked by DiMarco's seven points, they closed within two as the game approached the final buzzer. But, bolstered by coach Jeff Molinari's words during the time-out, Fountain ignited a St. Mary's burst which stretched the final margin to nine. Other scorers for St. Mary's were Chris Connolly, Kevin Kitt and Jonathan Brenner, each with a single field goal.

Unfortunately, gritty defense and fine outside shooting dictated a different result for Jeff Molinari's St. Mary's cagers as they dropped a tough 37-30 decision to visiting St. Gertrude's of Bayville. Unleashing a rather fearsome zone press right from the outset, the sixth graders from the Oyster Bay-East Norwood area took a commanding 19-8 lead at half-time. Only Tom Nolan's two long-distance field goals enabled the Manhasset kids to stay in the game.

Obviously well coached, St. Gertrude's continued to display advanced defensive skills and their offense featured slashing drives by guard Chris Zarins (9 points) and spectacular outside shooting from forward George Baker (game high scorer at 15) who reminded older fans of Knick Hall of Famer Bill Bradley with six deadly long-range buckets from the far right corner.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, led by Jon Fountain (9 points) quick hands and on-target shooting, the Molinari-men closed the gap. Cullen Molinari and Jon Brenner each chipped in with four points while Tom Kaminsky (1 point) engineered two clever last minute steals. Alas, it proved to be too little, too late as the Bay boys maintained their composure and held on for the 7 point victory.