The fifth grade girls CYO teams coached by PJ Barry and Bob Hart have decided that their efforts this season will not be concentrated on just the basketball court. Coaches Barry and Hart talked with the girls and decided to raise money throughout the season and donate the money to the Hurricane

Katrina relief fund set up by the parish in the name of St. Mary's Girls CYO. The Church of St. Mary's has adopted the parish of Sacred Heart in D'Iberville, MS and has spent time and talent working to get the parish back on its feet.

"The CYO experience is more than about basketball," stated Coach Hart, "We learn the game, but we also learn teamwork, develop friendships and how hard work makes us better players. Caring about others makes us better people.

Those qualities aren't just confined to the court." Coach Hart's players are Ally Hart, Abby Kurcharczyk, Emily Koufakis, Haley Crosson, Julia Glynn, Cara Depippo, Caitlin Whitaker, Emily Papa, Sydney Young, Christina Ottaviani and Morven Whalley.

"We set out to have fun and to teach basketball, but the life lessons learned surpass anything else. The girls wanted to do something and their effort to raise money just shows how special they are as players, but more importantly, as people," commented coach Barry. Coach Barry's players are Marisa Aliprantis, Amelia Barry, Hope Gillan, Brigid Kenny, Nicole Koskovolis, Catherine Weppler, Alex Cirella, Paulina Parsons, Angelica Cramer and Sarah Vidal.

Both Coach Barry and Coach Hart echoed how proud they are of their teams' efforts on and off the court. Regardless of their win/loss record, this has been a successful season for two fifth grade girls CYO teams from St. Mary's.