Concord Pike Catholic powerhouse St. Mary Magdalen ran the table in both the girls and boys varsity (7th-8th grade) divisions of the CYM Basketball Championships in front of a packed house Sunday night at St. Elizabeth’s in Wilmington.
The Mary Magdalen girls outlasted a talented St. Ann’s squad, led in scoring by Emma Raftovich, the Lady Bulldog’s “go to” player throughout the year. Point guard Madalyn Minnick skillfully alluded Mustang pressure up and down the court the entire game. Other starters – Ava Scarpacci, Kaitlin Burns and Brigid Hamberger – contributed on both ends of the floor, resulting in a true team effort to bring home the championship.
The Bulldog boys bested perennial cross-town Brandywine Hundred stalwarts St. Edmond’s, taking the Lancers 35-28, and finishing their season with a perfect 20-0 record. SMM was led by Ethan Hinds with 15 points and Patrick McKenzie chipping in 11, supporting a balanced attack on both offense and defense, where Jack Healy’s tenacious play disrupted the Lancer gameplan. The Bulldogs held the lead throughout the final contest, staving off a late 4th quarter Lancer rally led by standout 6’ 8” center Nnanna Njoku, who led all scorers with 20 (an amazing 741 points on the season).
St. Eddy’s finished the season 27-6 with consistent efforts throughout from Jax Trickey, Nathan Taylor and DJ McClendon.
Completing a perfect day for the school’s athletic program, the St. Mary Magdalen Varsity Boys Y Team also won their division Sunday, closing out a perfect, undefeated season.
Full lineups and coaches for the St. Mary Magdalen championship squads are below:
SMM Girls Varsity C Team
Emma Raftovich 23
Ava Scarpaci 22
Kaitlin Burns 11
Madalyn Minnick 3
Brigid Hamberger 12
Emily Newcomb 20
Sadie Young 30
Geneva Laur 21
Clare Stella 24
Natalia Frabizzio 15
Head Coach: Mike Ganter
Ass’t coach : Lindsey Mulvena
Boys Varsity C Team
2- Matt Carr
3- Joey Montooth
4- Luke Moyer
21- Luke Gabrysh
23- Dylan Mooney
24- Anthony Mariano
25- Patrick McKenzie
30- Ethan Hinds
40- James Yelbert
42- Gavin Fanning
50- Jack Healy
Head Coach: Bill Higgins
Assistant Coaches: Mike Moyer, Ed Montooth, John Andreoli
