Mars Girls Youth Basketball Association’s Fifth Grade Girls Gold Travel Basketball Team earned first place at Peters Township Basketball Association’s 2024 Aaron Smith Memorial Christmas Classic Tournament, held Dec. 29.

The team defeated Chartiers Valley (28-7), South Fayette (30-20), Canon McMillan (38-9), and, in the championship game, Penn Trafford (29-19). In addition, for the third consecutive year, the team qualified for the Pennsylvania State Middle School Basketball Championship, to be held March 14-16 in State College, Pa.

Team members include Mars Area Centennial School fifth-graders Reagan Anke, Samantha Beckert, Avery Cooper, Lila Demetris, Ainsley Genis, Amelia Lavrinc, Hailey Rodgers and Nora Wiley.

For details, visit www.marsgirlsyouthbasketballassociation.org.