Middle school basketball teams from Calvary Day School, St. Andrew’s School, and Memorial Day School finished the season on top, winning Savannah Parochial Athletic League (SPAL) championships.
Calvary Day captured two boys' titles, St. Andrew’s added the 5th/6th boys championship, and Memorial Day completed an undefeated season to win the 7th grade girls title.
Calvary Day Captures Two SPAL Titles
Calvary Day’s middle school basketball program wrapped up a strong season with two championships. The Cavaliers’ 6th and 5th-grade teams both finished the year as SPAL champions.
Calvary’s 6th-grade
The 6th-grade team, coached by Jamario Blige, went a perfect 9-0 and sealed the title with a 37-20 win over Savannah Country Day in the championship game.
Blige, in his first season at Calvary Day, worked with assistants Josh Dannenfelser, Jimmy Leonard, and Drew Perozich to guide the Cavaliers through an undefeated run.
The team shared the ball, defended well, and had contributions from every player on the roster.
“Every player played a role,” Blige said. “They practiced hard, supported each other and played as a team.”
Roster
#1 Robbie Mayes
#2 MJ Cummings
#4 Jace Padget
#5 John McClain III
#10 Orlance Wilson
#12 Eric Blackshear
#15 Caleb Welch
#20 Ben Johnston
#35 Ben Farmer
The championship capped a strong year for the group. Each player was also part of Calvary Day’s 5th- and 6th-grade football team that won an SPAL title last fall.
Calvary’s 5th-grade
Calvary’s 5th-grade team also added a SPAL championship under head coach Jimmie Leonard.
Leonard, also in his first season at Calvary, led the team to a 6-3 regular-season record before the Cavaliers caught momentum in the playoffs.
During their postseason run, Calvary knocked off the league’s No. 1-ranked team and relied on defense and teamwork to finish the job.
“This team grew together,” Leonard said. “They played with effort, supported each other and showed great sportsmanship all season.”
Roster
#0 Ethan McMillan
#4 Harris Mason
#5 Jeremiah Wall
#11 Cayden Leonard
#15 Eddie Rouzer
#20 Junior Wright
#25 Beck Starling
St. Andrew’s Claims SPAL 5/6 Boys Title
St. Andrew’s School also celebrated a championship season as the Lions captured the SPAL 5th/6th-grade boys title.
Head coach Jaytel Lofton, who has coached six years overall and three seasons at St. Andrew’s, guided the Lions to a 7-2 record and a strong postseason run.
St. Andrew’s entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed after losses to the league’s top two teams during the regular season. The Lions responded in the semifinals with a 34-29 win over No. 1 seed Memorial.
In the championship game against Habersham, St. Andrew’s delivered its most complete performance of the season, pulling away for a 42-21 victory to secure the title.
Ali Rutledge led the way with 17 points and six assists, while Alexander Sofinos added 14 points and five assists as the Lions controlled the pace throughout the game.
Roster
#0 Hunter Glostein — Grade 6
#4 Ali Rutledge — Grade 6
#12 Sebastian Michaels — Grade 5
#20 Elliot Relihan — Grade 5
#22 Alexander Sofinos — Grade 5
#23 Kymani Wheelock — Grade 5
#24 Maddox Alexander — Grade 5
#35 Nash McIntosh — Grade 5
#40 Parker Murphy — Grade 5
#43 George Roberts — Grade 5
#52 Charlie Walker — Grade 5
Memorial Day Girls Finish Perfect Season
Memorial Day School also celebrated a championship season. Head coach Meagan Jackson led her middle school team to a perfect 10-0 record and the SPAL title.
Jackson, who has coached three seasons at Memorial Day, watched her team control games all year and finish with a 43-14 win over Savannah Country Day in the championship.
Alesia Norris led the way with 20 points in the title game. Reese Johnson added 10 points, while Gracelynn Smart controlled the boards and chipped in eight points.
The team showed strong teamwork throughout the season, with every player contributing during the undefeated run.
Roster
#1 Atorri Norris
#3 Alesia Norris
#4 Reese Johnson
#11 Gracelynn Smart
#13 Ameriah Young
#14 Chloe McGrath
#21 Nia Slaughter
Strong Programs Building for the Future
Multiple SPAL championships across the programs show the strength of middle school basketball in Savannah.
From Calvary Day’s boys teams to St. Andrew’s championship run and Memorial Day’s undefeated girls squad, the message is simple — work hard, play together, and good things usually follow.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Calvary Day School, St. Andrew’s School, and Memorial Day School.
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Optim Orthopedics supports local athletes’ health and safe return to play.
They keep Savannah’s athletes healthy and ready to compete all season.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
