FAIRFIELD—The St. Thomas 8th grade girls basketball team has qualified for this weekend’s New England Catholic Youth Organization Tournament in Manchester, N.H. The highest ranked teams from eight New England Catholic Dioceses will play in the quarter finals on Friday and Saturday. Semi-final games will be held Saturday afternoon, with the tournament champion crowned after the final game on Sunday, March 31.
St. Thomas Catholic School 8th grade girls had a record of 25-1 this season. They won their Sheehan Center League, as well as tournaments including St. Thomas, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Mark’s and St. Mary’s. Most recently they won the title of 2019 Bridgeport Diocesan Champions to earn a position in the NE CYO playoffs.
Coach Hyland commented, “We are very proud of these 12 young ladies. They really love the sport and have played together since the 4th grade. The same group of teammates won the NE CYO Tournament as 6th graders in 2017. They’ve all made a big commitment to the team—playing several games with multiple practices every week from October through March. More importantly, they are all very well-rounded—accomplished academically, are multi-sport players, and are really great girls.”
Two-thirds of the team are Junior National Honor Society members. Several serve on the student council, sing in the chamber choir, play instruments, have leads in the school play, and consistently make the honor role. Most of the players will continue to play basketball next year at their respective high schools—Lauralton Hall, Ludlowe and Notre Dame.
The team will be celebrated at a school-wide pep rally on Friday, March 29 at 8:30 am in the school gym. Congratulations to players Katie Fitzgerald, Lucy Hyland, Rory Kudzy, Janie Paulmann, Ellie Price, Catherine Bosse, Mia Christodero, Persephone Deeds, Nellie Kiernan, Chloe Byrd, Grace Patrignelli, Molly Keaveney, Coach Hyland, Assistant Coach Fitzgerald and Assistant Coach Paulmann.
About St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and recognized as an award-winning Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. For nearly 100 years in the heart of downtown Fairfield, we have served a critical role in Fairfield County by providing a strong foundation for students in faith and knowledge at an affordable cost for students in pre-k 3-8th grade.
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School is conveniently located at 1719 Post Road, Fairfield.
(For additional information please contact Barbara Turner, Director of Admissions, at 203.255.0556 x.225 or Barbara.turner@stasonline.net.)
