The Harvest Park Middle School’s eighth grade girls basketball team:(back row, l-r) Kylie Johnson, Pauline Rosa, Pippa Whitehand, Morgan Dorsey, Brittany Randall, (front row, l-r) Coaches Mark Hitesman and Andy Hitesman, Claire Loncarich, Kaylie Carbine, Cady Blaine, Chelsea Luther, Jessica Mickelson, Alana D’Onofrio and, kneeling, Emily Pease, won the Tri-Valley Athletic League Basketball Championship with a hard fought 35-34 victory over previously undefeated Wells Middle School. AlanaÝD’Onofrio’s 16 points led the way forÝthe Patriots whileÝJessica MicklesonÝand Kady Blaine added 8 and 6 points respectively. Emily Pease corralled 10 rebounds.
The Patriots, led by coaches Mark and Andy Heitsman, fought back from an 8 point deficit in the final four minutes.ÝD’Onofrio and MickelsonÝhit 3-pointers to pullÝHarvest Park within a bucket andÝChelsea Luther nailedÝa 3-pointer with a minute-40 to playÝto give the Patriots the 35-34 lead which they maintained until the final buzzer.
–Bob Luther
