Last week, the Cranston Youth Girls Basketball Association (CYGBA) celebrated the end of another successful year, as approximately 70 of the recreational league’s team players and their families gathered together at the Cranston Country Club for their annual banquet.

CYGBA League Director PJ Thibodeau congratulated the girls and their coaches for a great year and noted that, for many, the idea of success was one of learning through failure first, rather than consistent success all the way through the season.

“All of your parents have failed,” he said. “All through their lives they have learned from their failures, and that is a skill that will get you far in your lives too.”

He praised the girls and the volunteer coaches for their dedication to the sport and for their team spirit. He also thanked the many parent volunteers for their time and effort as well.

Each player was given a team t-shirt and a team photo with a frame. Additionally, the following coaches, volunteers and players were given awards this year:

"Rosie Award" (Volunteers of the Year): The Andreozzi Family, The Crudale Family, George and Eve Sweeney.

Coaches of the Year: Brian Flinn and Chris Sanzaro, AllConnex team.

Senior Division:

CYGBA Spirit Award: Ava Spillane.

Player of the Year: Madison Alves

Defensive Player of the Year: Nysia Ortiz,

First Team, All League: Madison Alves, Nysia Ortiz, Talia Thibodeau, Maylina Santiago, Isabella D'Arezzo and Ariel O'Brien.

Second Team, All League: Maia Riccio, Rachel Paulhus, Kaitlyn Antonucci, Sophia Crudale and Hailey DeCosta.

All-Defensive Team: Nysia Ortiz, Madison Alves, Maylina Santiago, Angela Marses, Isabella D'Arezzo.

Most Improved Team: Carissa Giarrusso, Ava Spillane, Emma Capirchio, Angela Marses, Marissa Spaziano.

Junior Division:

Player of the Year: Ava Cappuccilli

Defensive Player of the Year: Ava Cappuccilli.

First Team, All League: Ava Cappuccilli, Payton Scurry, Leah Bucci, Mia Crudale and Alyssa Robinson.

Second Team, All League: Camille DeCosta, Sarah Berube, Gianna DiSpirito, Lily Buco and Samantha Vernancio.

All-Defensive Team: Ava Cappuccilli, Kyla Buco, Gianna DiSpiritio, Ava Thurber and Natalia Giardina.

Most Improved Team: Elyse Spiridakos, Ava Thurber, Cianna Catelli, Julia Levy, Gianna D'Ercole and Breanna Fontes.