The WMS Lady Warriors won the basketball championship 38-15 against the Colonia Patriots. This completed their undefeated season with a 9-0 record.

Coach D’Orsi, was unable to attend the championship because she was sick, but she says she was “FaceTimed” and was then able to watch the game. D’Orsi was “upset” she couldn’t attend, but thinks it was “for the best” because she didn’t want to get people sick. D’Orsi says that the teams biggest strength going into the championship is that they’ve “already played Colonia twice” and know what to expect. Lastly, D’Orsi says that in practice, looking at and watching tapes of the previous games they played against Colonia helped.

Coach Murphy says, “it feels great. It was an honor to be able to coach the girls that I did, and I’m glad we were able to come out on top,” when asked about how it felt to be the coach of a champion team. Murphy says that the girls were “terrific” all game and they “didn’t give up a single point the whole first quarter”. Murphy says that that is “very hard to do in basketball.” Murphy finishes by saying that the girls were great all season, but especially on Friday.

A 7th grader on the team, Sidney De Voogd says winning her first ever WMS Championship game feels “good, because we [the team] went undefeated the whole season and it feels good that 7th graders this year that will be on the team next year as 8th graders, will be coming back with a win next year.” For people who are trying out for the team next year De Voogd says, “Even if you think you’re not that good, just keep going, because they coaches aren’t really looking for talent. As long as you are working hard and trying, you’ll have a really good chance.”

Madison Rackett, another 7th grader and co-captain of the teams says that she is excited for next year’s season. “We did so well this season, and we packed a good punch,” Rackett says. Rackett’s advice for next years team contenders is: “Try your best, and just do as good as you can, because they are looking for coachability. So, if you aren’t that well, they will coach you as long as you can take their advice.”

Lauren Cruz, an 8th grader on the team, says it feels “great’ winning her last ever middle school basketball game. “It feels awesome because I get to learn how to play basketball and prepare for next year, and if I try out, which I am. And, it was also really fun with the 8th graders, to win.” Cruz says this season impacted her. “On Saturday (the day after the championship,) I was very sad because I won’t get to play with my team anymore, and it was really sad. I was really sad.” Cruz says, “And, I started crying on Saturday night.” Cruz finishes, with a giggle.

Abigail Rodriguez, and 8th grader and another co-captain, says that she “made such great friends within the team and it was always such a fun time after school during practices, and at games.” “It feels good to win, and it makes it even better to share the moment with my amazing team, who are also my good friends,” Rodriguez says with a big smile.

Shannon Muldowney, an 8th grader, says, “It feels good winning the championship, because we finished the season happy.” Muldowney says that this season made her work harder, not only on the court, but in school, too, “You have to keep your grade above a certain level in order to play, so I love playing so I worked hard.” Muldowney finishes with, “It (the season) was very fun, and I was about to cry when we won,.”

Emelia Kraft, an 8th grader, says that winning the game was “fun.” She says, “It was a great experience, we played a lot of basketball, and we scored a lot of points, and I scored like, 0, but still, we did really well and we won, and I’m proud.” Kraft finishes by saying that she felt “happy” but at the same time “upset” because it was one of her favorite seasons so far this year. “Even though I didn’t do so swell, I had a lot of fun at games and practices and stuff. It was a great season with my great friends and coaches,” Kraft finishes, tearing up.