Southold Girls 6th Grade CYO Basketball Team Named League Champs

SOUTHOLD, NY — Their team is small but mighty: The St. Patrick's CYO 6th grade girls basketball team, based in Southold, clinched first place in their league in December.

The girls won the title with a win over Center Moriches, 42 to 20 — and emerged undefeated, 12 to 0, as league champs for the regular season, their coaches Mark Zablotny and Jayme Bednoski said.

Players Lauryn Bednoski, #10, Lyla Zablotney, #54, Delphine Garcia, #5, Kelley Liebert, #35, Ava Wilinski, #31, Kaylee Wilinski, #1, Savannah Kramer, #45, and Cameron Ahearn #20 made their hometown proud.

According to Coach Zablotny, next up are the seedings and matchups, still to be announced. The top 3 teams from each league will be headed to the playoffs, he said.

The girls' success speaks to their determination, Bednoski said. "We only have eight girls, two being in fifth grade," he said. "It's a small group that has no problem working hard."

The girls have shown their inner character as well as sportsmanship on the court, both agreed.

Added Zablotny: "We have stressed the importance of team play — playing together in everything we do. And these girls have worked hard at it together — now the results are showing that the approach has worked."