SALT LAKE CITY — "These girls never gave up despite the fact they only had five players," said Tony Velasquez, Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner and coach. "Their record was 12-1. They lost the first game and then went on to have 11 straight victories." The five players are the sixth-grade champions in the Parish Athletic Recreation Association (PARA) basketball league. They are Marissa Velasquez, Justina Lopez, Sade Evans, Alexis Velasquez, who is in the fourth grade, and Jeanette Aguilar. "They played hard and they all played the whole game. They knew they had a chance as long as there was time on the clock, even when they were behind," said Velasquez. "When they were behind, they worked even harder. It was amazing that not one of them ever fouled out. I would call periodic time outs to give them a rest, but they would play hard even when they were tired. They each had a position and they knew where they had to be on the floor at any given time. "Sometimes when they saw the other teams with 10 or 12 players they would feel a little intimated, but once they were on the floor playing they went into automatic pilot," said Velasquez. "Their strongest asset was playing well together defensively. When one girl was having an off night, the others would pick up the slack. They all contributed to this championship. They always felt they could win." "The girls had outstanding coaches," said Willie Price, PARA commissioner and member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. "All the PARA teams are well coached with great team members, but this team was unique because they only had five members." "The coaches, Tony and Loretta, dedicated many hours to practicing two nights a week, with one game each week," said Price. "They were lucky to be able to practice at Jackson Elementary School where the girls attend school, because Our Lady of Guadalupe does not have a gym. I am thrilled that the coaches made every player feel she was important, and they gave each player an opportunity to do her best." Price said the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish provided each girl with a new uniform, new gym shoes, and paid their entrance fees. The girls not only participated in basketball, but they also attended Mass every Sunday, participated by giving announcements from the pulpit, and they did it in an eloquent manner. The announcements were about community service projects and other things going on in the parish. The team members all participated in the service projects, which included cleaning up the church and doing yard work. "Whenever they were and are called upon to do something they are always more than willing to help," said Price. "That is attributed to Tony and Loretta’s leadership. They are guiding these girls and other youth in the parish in becoming responsible young adults. The girls attend the youth group activities each week, and some of them are altar servers. Three of them have been awarded Youth of the Month honors from the parish in recognition for their outstanding performance on and off the basketball court." Price said Loretta is a wonderful spiritual leader as youth minister for the entire youth group. She is also the third grade Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) teacher. "Tony is always willing to help" said Price. "His leadership example is good for the girls as well as the other youth in the parish. Tony is like St. Francis of Assisi, he is quiet but teaches by his example." Price said what is most valuable is how the girls have learned to care for one another. They are all good friends. "All of their parents attended each of the games and offered their support," said Loretta. "As a youth group, we pray together and they all want to participate and lead the opening prayer. They are a wonderful group of girls." After each win, the girls were treated to dinner. After their championship game one of the parents held a barbeque for them and Tony and Loretta gave each one of them an engraved basketball medallion. The parish provided the girls with their own individual trophy.
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