The five venues that hosted the Catholic Athletic League basketball tourney last weekend were filled with talented players, dedicated coaches and faithful fans.
The gymnasiums at La Salle Academy, St. Rapheal Academy, St. Lawrence, St. Mary Academy-Bay View and Rhode Island School for the Deaf were rocking as players from across the state suited up and took to the hardwoods to dazzle the hundreds of fans at each of the venues.
As Mary Keough, point guard from Blessed Sacrament, was readying for her team’s contest against St. Luke’s, she appeared calm and confident. “I think we will do very well, and we will try our very best today.”
On tap at the LaSalle venue for the 2 p.m. game were the girls of the Mercymount Mustangs taking on the girls from St. Rocco’s. In the stands was Mercymount alumni Ali Caesar, part of last season’s CAL championship team. “I’m here to cheer the team on,” Caesar said. “I wish I could put my uniform on and get out there. I loved playing in this league.”
On the court for the boys was the Bishop McVinney team, gearing for their match-up against St. Mary’s of Pawtucket. A confident Darnell Taylor, forward, was eager to get started. “I’m ready to play! I think we will do real well and I know we will do our very best.”
At the St. Lawrence venue, the girls from St. Gregory’s and St. Thomas had just finished a game and St. Michael, Smithfield and Our Lady of Mercy, East Greenwich, were taking their warm-ups.
Miranda Grundy, the St. Michael forward, was raring to to go, noting the team as been working “so hard.” Her mother, assistant coach Mary Grundy, praised her team. “I have high hopes for today. These girls have worked very hard, and team work and skills are getting better and better. We insist on good sportsmanship from our players and fans, and this league has been a great experience.”
The many fans at each of the venues were cheering and encouraging. The competitions were fierce on the hardwoods but sportsmanship ruled the day.
Sandra Balasco, great-aunt of Blessed Sacrament’s Alexa Benoit, put it best. “These games are terrific! We come to all of them – it’s fun to watch the teams play; we’re big fans.”
The tourney continues next weekend. Check brackets on pages 10 and 11 for scores and details.
