The New Lenox Community Park District’s Competitive Basketball League, the New Lenox Pride, were triumphant in a holiday basketball tournament held December 28th – 30th.

Both the 5th and 8th grade girls teams took first place in the Kaneland Holiday Basketball Tournament held in Kaneville, Ill. Each team won an impressive five games providing the New Lenox Pride teams with a perfect 10-0 record.

The 5th grade team defeated Yorkville, Kaneland A, Kaneland B, and the South Suburban Wildcats twice over the weekend tournament. The second win over the South Suburban Wildcats was in the championship game. It was a hard fought contest, but the determination of this 5th grade New Lenox Pride team was too strong to be denied winning with a score of 19 -16.

The 8th grade girls’ team was also successful by winning games against West Aurora Red, West Aurora Blue, Geneva, Yorkville, and the host Kaneland in the Championship game. The first quarter ended in a one point New Lenox Pride advantage; however in the second quarter, the Pride outscored the competition 13 – 1. This stunned the tournament host to a point where they could not recover. The final score ended in a 42 – 21 win for the New Lenox Pride.

Coach Dennis O’Donnell stated, “I couldn’t be prouder of how well both teams competed and the strength of teamwork they displayed.”

Contributed by Lauren Lotz, New Lenox Community Park District