While it was a close game, the Celtics won the grades four to six championship game Friday night against the Lightnings. Celtics members (from left, back row) are Coaches Josh White, Justine D’Airrgo White and Jason Sonnier. In the middle row (from left) are Dylan Stewart, Ben Tiso, Joel White and Zack Gray. Kneeling in the front are Brook Taylor, Katelyn Sonnier and Joseph Tiso.Photo by Jenny Kirchner
While it was a close game, the Celtics won the grades four to six championship game Friday night against the Lightnings. Celtics members (from left, back row) are Coaches Josh White, Justine D’Airrgo White and Jason Sonnier. In the middle row (from left) are Dylan Stewart, Ben Tiso, Joel White and Zack Gray. Kneeling in the front are Brook Taylor, Katelyn Sonnier and Joseph Tiso. Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Town Hall Sports Coordinator Richard Mozeleski gave this report:

Wow, what a finale to the 2014 campaign. The two division underdogs of the season, surged late to play in the finals with one of them winning. In the grades kindergarten-to-three divison, the Red Ninjas beat the Wildcats 11-10 in Thursday’s semi-final game, and in Friday’s championship game, they upset the high-scoring Barracudas with a resounding 22-8 victory.

The Ninjas’ tough defense stymied the Cudas’ sharp-shooting Mecino Harrington, holding him to 6 points, while obtaining 14 points from Geneva Dagnall. Incredible.

In the grades four-to-six division, the all-season-long underdog Lightnings surged at the end of regular league play and carried the momentum to a Tuesday night upset of the Blue Thunder, 27-22, in the semi-final game to earn a chance against the league-leading Celtics and their high-scoring Ben Tiso.

The kindergarten to third-grade division Red Ninjas team won its championship basketball game Friday night. The Red Ninjas (from left, back row) are Coach Bo Dagnall, Geneva Dagnall, Nathan Dunning, Kendra Collis and Coach Jason Sonnier.  In front (from left) are Carter Mclean, Meili Stroud, Tyler Sonnier and Silas Tiso. (Not pictured is Colby Sonnier.) Photo by Jenny Kirchner
The kindergarten to third-grade division Red Ninjas team won its championship basketball game Friday night. The Red Ninjas (from left, back row) are Coach Bo Dagnall, Geneva Dagnall, Nathan Dunning, Kendra Collis and Coach Jason Sonnier. In front (from left) are Carter Mclean, Meili Stroud, Tyler Sonnier and Silas Tiso. (Not pictured is Colby Sonnier.)
Photo by Jenny Kirchner

In Friday’s final game againist the Celtics, the Bolts battled behind a determined Cody Fogle’s 10 points and his flying bank shots from side court wowing the crowd and this reporter. The Celtics, usually riding the scoring-smooth Cody, spread the wealth this game with a balanced attack, skillfully moving the ball and getting plenty of open shots, winning 15-12 to cap a great season for the classy Celtic team.

For the season ending, at 6 p.m. this Friday, come watch the All-Star game at Idyllwild School gym. Four players from each of the grades four-to-six divison teams will represent two teams to entertain fans for a fun night, including free popcorn. Looking at the roster of nominated players, it should be a track meet, with the ball trying to keep up. Come on out and see the future of Idyllwild Schools  basketball.