Watch highlights from the last three quarters of action in the 2023 GMCT Girls Championship between 3rd seeded Colonia and top seeded St. Thomas Aquinas.
Trailing 30-29 with 6:19 remaining in the fourth quarter after a bucket by Colonia’s Sarah Genoni, Aquinas, which outscored the Lady Patriots, 20-12 in the final frame, embarked on a decisive 11-3 spurt highlighted by a Sabrina DeSio trey for a 40-33 lead. Colonia rallied with a 9-5 run capped by a score from Taylor Derkack to close the gap to 45-42 with under two minutes to play.
However, thanks to free throws from Amarilis Shubick and Jessica Cooper the Lady Trojans were able to put the game away for the 49-42 victory. Tournament MVP and sophomore, Leah Crosby led the way for the victors with a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Teammate and classmate, Gianna Chuffo, chipped in with 11 points including three treys. Senior forward and U of Albany commit, Jessica Cooper, added 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Mattison Chiera led Colonia in a losing cause with a game high 20 points while teammate Derkack chipped in with a nice all around performance of 14 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks, and 4 steals.