By Jessica Easthope
When the St. Saviour High School varsity basketball team laces up, they lock in. There’s no rest for this team — not even when you’re back-to-back New York City Catholic high school champions.
“Last year we went undefeated and won the championship,” junior, co-captain Brielle Gardner said. “So we knew that this year we had a target on our back. Whoever was going to work the hardest, whoever wanted it the most was going to get it. And so I think that’s exactly what we did.”
With a 9-3 record in the regular season, no one saw it coming—but Catholic High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year Bria Jackson had a vision. And co-captains juniors Brielle Gardner and Ellie Browne had a plan. The one-point game came down to seconds—with Brielle securing the 26th point with a free throw. St. Saviour’s grit and grind came out victorious.
“Last year we weren’t expected to go back-to-back,” Coach Jackson said. “So I felt this one was sweeter than last year.”
And the girls had an unbeatable cheering section. But one group of former St. Saviour pandas was the loudest—their moms.
“Our sister-Saviour-hood is all connected through generations,” Browne said. “I think that’s really cool.”
Several girls on the team are legacy students. Brielle and Ellie’s moms Danielle and Ellen walked these same halls—and shared this same bond.
“They really are like sisters,” Danielle Gardner said. “All of them. It makes me really happy as a mom to see them thrive in high school.”
“You get the chills thinking this is home,” Ellen Browne said. “This is still home. And it will be Ellie’s home. Just like it’s my home still to this day.”
Coach Jackson says her players have a work ethic that can’t be coached—and a cohesion that can’t be faked.
“Just being that sisterhood, that camaraderie, it shows on the court,” Jackson said.
Faith is the sixth woman on the court—and she’s unstoppable.
“You’re playing to represent your school, but you’re also representing your faith,” Browne said.
“The C in CHSAA is always with us,” Jackson said.
The support was louder than the doubt—and St. Saviour managed to turn one purpose into two championship titles.