The Nassau Suffolk CYO has announced the winners of the girls basketball programs 2005/2006 Sportsmanship Awards. St. Mary's CYO has won two of these prestigious awards; one for the fifth grade and one for the sixth grade divisions.

"The Margaret McGorry Sportsmanship Award is the highest award that CYO gives. Sportsmanship is the key to the values that CYO stands for and it is an outstanding accomplishment to have two teams win this award. It is often said that aside from parents and teachers, coaches are the most influential force in a young person's development," explained St. Mary's CYO Director John Kiggins, "For these coaches to conduct themselves accordingly and be role models for their players on how to conduct themselves speaks to the quality people they are. The girls are to be congratulated for not only their competitive effort but also for their sportsmanship and fair play."

Congratulations to fifth grade head coach Barbara Kiggins and her assistants Jerry Vanderberg and Daniella Iervolino and to sixth grade Head Coach Steve Leondis and his assistants Brian Reilly and Henry Mulholland.

St. Mary's CYO especially appreciates the effort of the players: fifth graders Jennifer Kiggins, Mary Meed, Caitlin Vanderberg, Francesca DeLuca, Danielle DeBeradino, Kate Brescia, Kate Naranjo, Sloane Middleton, Alyssa Tripodoro, Kayla Feeney, Megan Heaney and sixth graders Courtney Reilly, Devon Leondis, Grace Mulholland, Claudia Steck, Carolyn Boylan, Natalie DeBono, Emma Salter, Katie Keane, Megan Breen, Caroline Cassanova, Devon Denihan, Gaby DeLuca, Nicole Capolarello, Cassie DeMatteis