Jessica Gales notched 12 points, the first of her nascent career, as St. Mary's sixth grade hoop team coached by Frank Coughlin, Kevin Conway and Jeff Molinari breezed to a 41-23 besting of St. Thomas the Apostle in Nassau-Suffolk CYO Friday night action. Not a seat could be found so the crowd of 35 stood or simply sat on the hardwood, as the undefeated Gaels secured the second triumph of the young season by virtue of their tenacious defense.

Yielding just 4 points in each of the first two quarters permitted the visitors from Manhasset to attain a 21 to 8 half-time lead. Her first game goose-egg a distant memory, Gales blew by her opponents, sweeping past the hosts from West Hempstead time and again. Maddie Molinari tallied 11points and a like number of caroms. Kate Conway continued her consistent play and reliable ball-handling with 8 points. Alice Coughlin's put-backs in the paint produced 4 points. Meghan Chang cracked the scoring ranks with 4 points while Sloane Middleton rippled the chords with a deft deuce to round out the scoring. Grace Cunningham and Margaret Pegno showed a winning spirit in the team effort.