The GCAA Shock 5th grade girls' basketball game has advanced to the Super League championship game of the Gold Division after defeating the Long Island Storm, 25-19, Monday in a semifinal game at Island Garden. The previous week, the Shock defeated St. Rose, 34-20, in the quarterfinals.

The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at Island Garden.

The Shock's hard-fought victory over the Long Island Storm avenged an 8-point regular-season loss. In Monday's rematch, Garden City took control early and never relinquished the lead.

"I am very proud of all the girls - they have remained tough against some very good teams," said GCAA Shock coach John Kiffel. "They are a great group to coach and I hope they do well in the finals."

The GCAA Shock girls shot 60 percent from the foul line and played hard-nosed defense during this sometimes-bruising battle. Lauren Nuss (7 points) and Katie Trimmer (5 points) both converted three out of four free throw attempts. Catherine Dickinson and Julia Kiffel each scored 4 points, Kimberly Ryan had 3 points and Liz Stutzmann had 2 points. Like the previous 11 Shock victories this season, this one was a total team effort.

Christina Mangels worked hard on the boards against the taller Storm team, and Christina Capetola, Caitlin McGuinness, Marisa Cameron, Maggie Kiley and Jenna Fuchs all contributed to the impressive win.

In the victory over St. Rose, Garden City jumped out to a 15-1 first-quarter lead and was ahead, 17-3, at halftime. After St. Rose made a run in the third quarter, the Shock clamped down and regained control of the game to win by 14 points.

Kimberly Ryan led the way with 8 points, Catherine Dickinson and Liz Stutzmann scored 5 points each, Marisa Cameron had 4 points, Caitlin McGuinness totaled 3 points, Christina Capetola, Christina Mangels, Maggie Kiley and Katie Trimmer had 2 points apiece, and Jenna Fuchs scored 1 point. Lauren Nuss played well on both ends.

The St. Rose victory was typical of most GCAA Shock victories: the scoring was well distributed and all 12 girls played a key role.