Defending CYO State Champions On A Roll
By Kevin Devlin
On Saturday, February 11, at the McDonough gym which is located within the Walsh Community Center, the Gate of Heaven CYO girls’ high school travel team defeated Saint Ann’s of Dorchester, 43-24, to remain undefeated in regular season play. The 2017 CYO state champions are now getting ready to defend their title as the upcoming playoffs begin.
In the opening minutes of their final regular season game, Gatey took an early 12-2 lead against Saint’s Ann’s. Then the girls from Dot closed the gap to 7 but Jacqueline Beggan (6 pts.) hit 2 three-pointers to give her team a 23-11 advantage at halftime. In the second half, Gatey went on a 6-0 run from the get go and cruised to a convincing victory.
To round out the scoring for the Gatey, guard Allison McGough netted 12 points including one three-pointer. Lauren Woods had 10 points. Jackie Czar scored 6 points and Rebecca Donovan had 4. For Saint Ann’s, Marie McCarthy scored 10 points, Cassidy Nguyen had 7 points and Holly Edwards had 4.
Gatey’s regular season record is 11-0 and Coach Allison Baker had nothing but praise for her team’s overall performance thus far this season.
“This team is one of my favorite teams to coach,” said Coach Baker. “When I first began coaching I started out in the (Gatey) girls’ instructional league. The first group I started with are the seniors on the team now; Jacqueline Baker, Jackie Czar, Lauren Woods, Catherine Woods, and Julia Casper.
“We have travelled a long way together!” Baker added. “In the past two years we have lost only one game. Last year we were (CYO) state champions. The banner we also worked for is now hanging in the McDonough gym at the Walsh Center.
“This team consists of a great group of girls,” she concluded. “…and I’m excited to enter the playoffs within a couple of weeks. Our goal is to bring home banner number two.”
Assistant Coach Brianna Esposito is also proud of this winning squad.
“This is my second year coaching these girls,” said Esposito “…and I have been able to witness how much they have grown as players and also as individuals. It has been a true privilege and honor to be their coach and work alongside such a great group players for an undefeated season.”
See phot captions on page 2
If you can do it, it would be nice to have the Gatey pics a little larger than the Dot team picture…
SAINT ANN’S TEAM PICTURE 0117
CAPTION*** Pictured at the McDonough gym last Saturday before their game is the Saint Ann’s CYO girls’ high school travel team coached by lifelong Dot resident, Danny Clark. The players are: Maeve Walsh, Erin Leahy, Cassidy Nguyen, Kaelin Clark, Marie McCarthy, Holly Edwards, and Lilah Gutlerner.
GATE OF HEAVEN’S TEAM PICTURE 0128
CAPTION*** Pictured at the McDonough gym last Saturday before their game is the Gate of Heaven CYO girls’ high school travel team coached by Allison Baker and Brianna Esposito. The players are: Julia Casper, Lauren Woods, Allison McGough, Grace Tinlin, Jacqueline Beggan, Rebecca Donovan, Jackie Czar, Catherine Woods, and Emily Harris.
PLUS A THIRD PICTURE OF GATEY CYO SENIORS ON THIS TEAM THAT ALLISON BAKER EMAILED TO YOU GUYS… GATEY GIRLS
