Corpus Christi Girls Heading to the Playoffs

Corpus Christi Girls fifth-grade teams are going into the playoffs for the Long Island CYO championships (yes, that's both fifth-grade teams). Coach Nancy could not be more proud of her two hardworking teams. First up will be the "Old School" team which will play Thursday night. Old School finished with a record of 9 - 3 and tied for second place in its region.

Old School finished the regular season strong with four straight wins, the last being a decisive 41-13 win over cross-town rival St. Aidans to secure that second-place finish. This last game demonstrated the kind of play Coach Nancy teaches, as eight different players ended up in the scoring column. Heather Gessner led all scorers with 9 points, followed by Erin Carr who has really found her scoring touch with 8. Katie Dul had another strong game with 6 points, but the story of this game was Janine Miller who broke out with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Jacquie Behan and Sarah Couto are the defensive specialists on this team, but they also contributed on the offensive side as they put back two baskets apiece. Maureen Purcell, who without a doubt is the most energetic player with her exciting moves (on the court as well as on the bench) scoring 2 points. Last, but not least, was point guard Kayla Vesley who all season has run the offense to perfection. It is Kayla who has distributed the ball so well so others could put up the big numbers. Missing this game were Paula Pinto and Valentine Duran, but both these players will be needed for their playoff run.

Next up will be "New Kids on the Block," who finished their own season with a strong 8 - 4 record, which was good for third place in their region. They will play their first playoff game Saturday. While mentioning strong finishes, New Kids' last game was a team effort 34-4 win over St. Thomas which saw seven girls in the scoring column.

They will play their first playoff game Saturday. While mentioning strong finishes, New Kids last game was a team effort 34-4 win over St. Thomas which saw seven girls in the scoring column. Tina Basile who works hard on the boards every game, came away with a game high 10 points, 10 rebounds - her first double/double. Kalie Medlock scored 8 points and Krystie Kern scored 6 points as these two take turns each game leading the team in scoring. Not to be outdone by her sister, Keri Medlock scored 4 points and had 3 steals. Megan Brady, like her counterpart on the other Corpus Christi team, is this team's point guard and also defensive specialist, scoring a bucket. Ashley Pusey and Kat Carboine have been practicing their free throws and it came in handy as they both hit the front ends of a one and one for 1 point apiece. To round out this team, you need feisty defense and you get that with Ann Marie Rolon and Kim Lopes. These two don't let up on their opponents one bit. Raiany Silva and Natalie Monroe are the final pieces for this athletic squad.

Coach Nancy hopes these two teams will meet in the playoffs, because the way the bracket is set up, it would have to be in the championship game on Sunday, Feb. 8. Good luck to these two teams, as well as Corpus Christi's sixth- and eighth-grade teams that have also made the playoffs.