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GCAA Basketball 5th/6th Grade Boys Intramural Championships
 | | The Nets: Front row, L to R: Nayeem Baksh, Jake Quattlander, Bobby Clarke, Chris Larkin, Quinn McDonagh,
Back row, L to R: Louis Stober, Brian Goulard, Lucas Hildreth, Coach Clarke, Brandon Rosenblatt, Coach Lori, Tim McDonagh, Jack Lori
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Monday night featured the GCAA boy's 5th/6th grade championship game between the 2nd seeded 8-1 Nets vs. the 4th seeded 5-4 Celtics. Fans were not disappointed, as the Nets outlasted the Celtics in a 76-72 barnburner. Everyone agreed that this was one of the most exciting games of the year. After trailing for much of the second half, the Celtics tied the score with an incredible three-pointer with just 40 seconds to play. The Nets then took the lead for good with an amazing baseline play that resulted in a basket and a foul with just 10 seconds left.
Once again, the Nets were led by their big man, Tim McDonagh. Tim had an MVP-like night, dominating the boards and hitting the game winning shot with just 10 seconds to play. The Nets were strong on the glass all night long. "Twin-towers" Brian Goulard and Lucas Hildreth pulled down rebound after rebound and denied the Celtics second shot opportunities. Chris Larkin and Bobby Clarke used their speed and ball-handling skills to break the Celtic press. Both hit key baskets down the stretch. Louis Stober, Brandon Rosenblatt and Jack Lori were able to repeatedly hit the open shots that led to the 76 point total. Quinn McDonagh, Jake Quattlander and Nayeem Baksh were the Nets' defensive specialists for the night. Each came up with key steals and limited the Celtics' scoring opportunities.
 | | The Celtics: Front Row L to R: Danny Westfield, Alex Franco, Jonathan Granville, Conor McGarry, Kenny Nygaard
Middle Row L to R: Jack Gillan, Patrick Mohan, Mark DeSantis, Michael Faulisi, Tom Tubridy, Joey Ardita
Back Row: Coach Tom Granville, Coach Mike Franco
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Outmanned on the boards, the Celtics relied on exceptional outside shooting skills. All night long, Tom Tubridy, Jack Gillan and Jonathan Granville hit three-pointer after three-pointer, with a shooting percentage that most college teams would envy. Mark DeSantis was all over both ends of the floor leading the fast break and stealing the ball in transition. Danny Westfield and Alex Franco broke down the Nets man-to-man defense with impressive open floor moves that led to easy baskets. Kenny Nygaard and Patrick Mohan were strong on the boards and scored key baskets from the paint. Connor McGarry, Joey Ardita and Mike Faulisi led a full-court defensive effort that produced numerous turnovers for the Celtics.
A tremendous effort by both teams produced a high scoring contest with numerous back and forth swings throughout the game. Congratulations to the Nets and the Celtics as well as the other 8 teams within this division on a great season.
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