St. Alphonsus junior varsity girls’ basketball team won the 2011-2012 Pittsburgh diocesan championship on March 6 at Oakland Catholic over St. Theresa of Avila, 28-19.  The team had a stellar season with a 25-3 overall record.  They were the 2011 Sacred Heart Christmas tournament champions and also won the 2011-2012 North 1A section champs with a record of 12-2 in that section.

The first round of the playoffs was against St. Bede, who the girls beat 40-10.  Next, the eleven girl team went on to defeat St. Bernadette 22-5 in the quarterfinals.  St. Alexis fell to the Flames 17-14 in the semi-finals of the diocesan tournament.

Head coach Doug Robbins said, “These girls came together from three different teams last year to become one incredible team.   They played winning team basketball this season and earned every bit of that championship.” 

Robbins’ daughter Ashley played on the team which also included: Kamaria Carioto, Hannah Cottrill, Mary Grace DiDonato, Olivia Kaminski, Rylee Kopchak, Madison McDonough, Alexis Sestric, Hannah Sturgis, Lawren Szilagy and Lauren Wasylson.

Four of the girls’ fathers helped Robbins coach the team this year:  Pete Carioto, Jim McDonough, Jerry Sestric and Doug Sturgis.

There are 155 St. Alphonsus School students playing on 14 school basketball teams this year, according the St. Alphonsus School Athletic Association (SAAA).  Overall, the school has 35 teams spread over five different no-cut sports this year:  spring and fall soccer, cross country, volleyball, basketball and track and field.  Many students participate in more than one sport per year; the pre-k through grade eight school’s enrollment totals 461 and sports enrollment is 514 this year.  Junior varsity sports participation begins in the fifth grade; however, younger students can compete in cross country and participate on developmental basketball and soccer teams.  Just this spring, the SAAA added boys’ junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams for the first time in the school’s history. 

2012 JV Girls Diocesan Champions – the St. Alphonsus Flames.  Left to right front row:  Madison McDonough, Lauren Wasylson, Mary Grace DiDonato.  Middle row:  Olivia Kaminski, Rylee Kopchak, Hannah Sturgis.  Back row:  Alexis Sestric, Kamaria Carioto, Ashley Robbins, Lawren Szilagy, Hannah Cottrill.

The Flames took control from the start and by half-time led 17 to  6.

During the second half, the Flames packed the defense and worked on killing the clock. The lead narrowed in the fourth quarter when St. Mary’s hit two three-point shots to bring the game within four, but that was as close as they would get.

Major contributions from the free throw line from various players, contributed to the first diocesan championship since 2003. 

The final score was St. Alphonsus, 22, and St. Mary’s, 18.

John Duken, the head coach of the Flames said afterwards, “I could not be any prouder of anyone than I am of these girls. Each played a critical role in achieving this goal. The commitment they made all season long to develop the skills necessary to win the championship was outstanding. I am both lucky and blessed to coach such talented young women”.

Congratulations to the St. Alphonsus JV Girls Red Team and their coaches for a job well done!

Assistant Coaches: Kent Beck and Mike Monberg

Head Coach: John Duken

Players must attend at least one tryout session but are encouraged to attend both.

JV Boys Tryouts – Dennis Mrdjenovich:

• Saturday, October 10th, 4:30 – 6:15 PM; arrive between 4:00 – 4:30
• Sunday, October 11th, 6:00 to 7:30 PM; arrive between 5:45 – 6:00

JV Girls Tryouts – John Duken:

• Saturday, October 3rd, 3:00 – 5:00 PM; arrive between 2:30 – 3:00
• Sunday, October 4th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM; arrive between 5:45 – 6:00

Varsity Boys Tryouts – Jeff Haus:

• Monday October 5th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM; arrive between 5:30 – 6:00
• Saturday October 10th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM; arrive between 6:15 – 6:30

Varsity Girls Tryouts – Diane Sullivan:

• Tuesday, October 6th, 8:00 – 9:30 PM; arrive between 7:30 – 8:00
• Sunday, October 11th, 7:30-9:00 PM; arrive between 7:15 – 7:30

4th Grade Teams

Parents will be notified of open gym dates around October 15th.