Historic Championship Run for DME Academy U18 Girls Basketball
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – DME Academy’s U18 girls basketball team made history by capturing the Chipotle Nationals Championship, capping off an exceptional run against the nation’s top competition and finishing the tournament with three straight statement wins.
Strong Season Record Leads to No. 5 Seed at Chipotle Nationals
Entering Chipotle Nationals with an impressive 22-4 record, DME Academy earned the No. 5 seed and opened tournament play against No. 4 seed Long Island Lutheran (LUHI). DME secured a hard-fought 55-50 victory, led by GiGi Battle, who was named Player of the Game after posting 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Semifinal Upset: DME Defeats No. 1 Seed St. James Academy
In the semifinal, DME faced tournament favorite and No. 1 seed St. James Academy. DME rose to the occasion with a commanding 60-50 win, powered by Sara Okeke, who earned Player of the Game honors with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block.
Championship Victory Over Bull’s Secures National Title
The championship game saw DME take on No. 3 seed Bull’s, where the team delivered its most dominant performance of the tournament in a 68-49 victory to claim the national title. GiGi Battle once again earned Player of the Game honors with a remarkable all-around performance of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, finishing just shy of a triple-double.
GiGi Battle Named Tournament MVP
Battle’s outstanding tournament performance also earned her Tournament MVP honors. Sara Okeke and Timani Harris were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
Team Effort Powers DME Academy’s Success
While the accolades highlight some of the tournament’s standout performances, DME’s championship run was built on a complete team effort from start to finish.
Key Contributions From Supporting Players
- Micaela Cavalcanti: Hit four three-pointers in the semifinal to spark the win over St. James Academy.
- Chikae Desdunes: Scored 17 points in the quarterfinal and announced her commitment to Rutgers University live on ESPN.
- Sther Ubaka: Delivered a pivotal defensive performance in the championship game.
- Timani Harris: Provided energy and key plays throughout the tournament.
Coach Matt Pannagio Praises Team Effort
“This was a full team effort in every sense,” DME Academy’s Girls Coach Matt Pannagio said. “Every player contributed something meaningful to this championship run. Their toughness, belief, and unselfishness showed up in every game. It was an amazing thing to witness and be a part of. These girls made history.”
Landmark Moment for DME Academy Girls’ Basketball
The championship marks a landmark moment for DME Academy girls’ basketball and further establishes the program as one of the premier forces in high school basketball.
More Than a Win: A Statement About Team Character and Program Strength
For DME Academy, this title was more than a tournament win. It was a defining statement about the strength of the program, the character of the team, and the history this group created together.
