By KEVIN DEVLIN
On Saturday, March 5, at the Walsh Center gym, the Gate of Heaven CYO instructional league and the John “Injun” Horan Memorial Girls’ House League held their end of the season all-star games.
In the opening tilt, the instructional league all-stars, the Red Raiders defeated the Blue Bombers 12-6. In the John “Injun” Horan Girls’ League all-star game, the Blue Birds eked out a hard fought victory against the White Wonders, 35-33.
In the opening minutes of the first half, the Blue Birds took an early 8-2 lead. The White Wonders responded and went on an 8-0 run to take the lead, 10-8. The game was tied up, 14-14, at the half. In the second half, the White Wonders took a 30-24 lead. But the Blue Birds weren’t ready to fly away. They fought back, went on a 6-0 run, and tied it up, 30-30. Both teams had an opportunity to score in the final 30 seconds, but it was tied at the end of regulation play, forcing an OT period. In overtime the Blue Birds prevailed and went home with a two-point victory.
For the White Wonders, Kate Donovan was in the zone as she netted 16 points. Sarah Day scored eight points while Cara DiMaggio scored six points. For the Blue Birds, Mary Kate Hart scored 14 points. And Caitlyn Fitzgerald scored eight points. Abby Colvin netted seven points, including a crucial three pointer, while Kaylee Flaherty contributed four points in the win.
The coaches in the Horan League are Sean Flaherty, Jennifer Evans, Margaret Keaveny, Allison Baker, Hannah Powers, and Maggie Hart. Barbara Kelly also came out of retirement and was back on the floor with the instructional league players and the other instructional league coaches.
Marie Laundry, who oversees the Horan League, wanted to thank those who make this program a reality.
“I would like to thank all the coaches and instructors,” league commissioner Marie Laundry said. “They spend so much time and deserve to be recognized.
“I also want to thank Kevin Lally, Sean Monahan and John McGahan from the Gavin House,” she said. “Without their commitment, this program wouldn’t exist and the kids would be missing this opportunity to play ball and have fun doing it.”
Pictured are the John “Injun” Horan Girls’ League All-Stars. The Blue Birds are Mary Kate Hart, Olivia Jackson, Caitlyn Fitzgerald, Madelyn Whelan, Abby Colvin, Emma Galvin, and Kaylee Flaherty. The White Wonders are Kate Donovan, Sarah Day, Emma Tirabassi, Cara DiMaggio, Corrine Ready, Evelyn Hurley, and Sara Galvin. In the back row are (from left) Sean Flaherty, Allison Baker, Hannah Powers, Margaret Keaveny and Marie Laundry.
