The age-old adage “practice makes perfect” was dramatically proven by the St. Aloysius 5th Grade boys basketball team coached by Jay Priven and Alan Golus.
After compiling a perfect 12-0 record in the regular season, the team was also flawless in the postseason, recording four wins without a loss to capture the CYO Nassau/Suffolk championship.
Practice sessions started in October and the nine players – including five returning from 4th grade and four new team members) jelled right from the start.
“We knew they were a special group,” the coaches said. “They had the basic basketball skills and proved to be eager learners, refining and expanding their skills to work together as a team.”
Up to 45 minutes of each hour-long practice session was devoted to improving these skills offensively and defensively, with limited time spent scrimmaging. As the season progressed, the players picked up on the game plan and started improving a little from week to week.
In the playoffs, the defense held the opponents in check while the offense rose to the occasion each time. Every player contributed to the successful season.
