Of Aquinas’ three state tournament appearances, the latest might be the most unfathomable.
Pressed with a diluted roster and, what coach Mark Loria said was the hardest schedule in Section V, the Lil Irish still managed its second straight state final appearance. In the process, Aquinas became the first known team to have such a three-year run in three different classifications.
Aquinas hoped to exit its adversity-filled season with its first state title, but ran into a buzz saw. In the NYSPHSAA Class AAA championship, the Lil Irish were downed by Section I’s Albertus Magnus 72-50.
With the win, Albertus clinched its third straight state title. The Falcons won Class AA in 2024, then AAA the last two seasons.
“For us to be able to do that (reach three straight state tournaments) says a lot about our kids, my coaches, the adversity we faced, the stuff we’ve had to go through both internally and externally,” Loria said. “What we were able to accomplish is pretty amazing.”
Speaking only a few days after the conclusion of the season, Loria said it will still be a few weeks until he can truly reflect on the year that was.
But, as the public vs. private school debate again heats up, he gave a full-throated defense of Aquinas and its players, many of whom have been with his program for the last handful of years.
“We worked hard like any other team, and I like to think we outworked a lot of people to get to this point,” Loria said. “My kids are talented because they’re basketball junkies. They come from the city and their whole thing is they want to play basketball at the next level and get a scholarship. That was my responsibility, to provide the kind of environment where they can showcase that skill.”
With three 1,000-point scorers in the last few years, three Section V titles, and a handful of players that already play collegiately or soon will be, who’s to argue?
Aquinas’ season ends in state final for second straight year
When it comes to roster size, Aquinas had anything but depth entering 2025-26. While the Lil Irish retained most of its starting lineup from last year’s team that lost a nail-biter in the Class AA state final, their bench was non-existent.
Players expected to make the jump from JV to varsity didn’t feel comfortable doing so. And Aquinas also dealt with early-season injuries to stars AJ Orr and Loren Green, and starter Bles’ng Muhammad.
“At times it felt like we were playing 5 on 4 or 5 on 3,” Loria said. “We got them back, but there’s still wear and tear.”
Aquinas managed a .500 regular season despite its depleted roster, while newbies like Avery Esposito and Gia Masters grew more comfortable in their roles as the season progressed.
More often than not, Aquinas played like a team with double its roster size. But against the now three-time defending champion Albertus Magnus, the Lil Irish’s tank finally reached empty.
“They were great and had some depth we didn’t have,” Loria said. “The girls didn’t have energy. It was weird. The biggest game of the year and we’re running on fumes. It was a long day, a long weekend, a long season.”
At less than its best, Aquinas was still locked in a two-score game midway through the second quarter. Scoring, however, was problematic. The Lil Irish finished the game only 19 for 64 from the field (30%) and couldn’t find their way around Falcons senior Julia Scott, a Clemson University commit who finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks.
Carle Thomas was the offensive highlight for the Lil Irish. The sophomore guard finished with a team-high 16 points and was 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
She’ll be one player Aquinas counts on in 2026-27, along with expected returners Green and Jade Harvey. How the Lil Irish replaces Orr, the lone senior, remains to be seen.
“There’s nobody like AJ Orr. She was the engine. You can’t really replace her, you have to adapt,” Loria said. “Girls are one year older and one year stronger, and hopefully that bunch picks up where they left off. It might look a little different … but it might not.”
Here is how the game unfolded:
Aquinas vs. Albertus Magnus: Game start
Ball is in the air, and the Class AAA final is underway.
Albertus Magnus 12, Aquinas 7: 3:30 left in the first quarter
Lil Irish start 3 for 7 from the floor. Two baskets from AJ Orr and a 3-pointer by Loren Green.
Albertus Magnus 19, Aquinas 9: End of the first quarter
Aquinas looks flustered on the offensive end. Lil Irish had the ball for the final shot, but can’t get off an attempt for the buzzer. The team is shooting 4 for 16 so far (25%).
Albertus Magnus 29, Aquinas 22: 3 minutes left in the second quarter
Lil Irish have found their footing some in the second quarter, cutting the Falcons’ lead to five on multiple instances.
Albertus Magnus 34, Aquinas 22: Halftime
Falcons have their biggest lead of the game. Aquinas trailed by only three with six minutes left in the half, but Albertus finishes the quarter on a 15-6 run. AJ Orr has nine points and four rebounds, while Loren Green has seven points so far.
Albertus Magnus 46, Aquinas 27: 4 minutes left in the third quarter
AQ seemed poised for a run when Carle Thomas made consecutive baskets, including a 3-pointer, to open the second half. Falcons continue to push the pedal down.
Albertus Magnus 59, Aquinas 33: End of the third quarter
A 3-pointer by the Falcons’ Sara Nezaj at the buzzer about sums it up for Aquinas. Lil Irish have also had little answer for Albertus senior Julia Scott, who has 21 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks through three quarters.
Albertus Magnus 72, Aquinas 50: Final
This is the Falcons’ third consecutive state title (Class AA in 2024, AAA in 2025 and 2026), and Aquinas’ second straight state final defeat.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: A short bench, a long season and an unforgettable Aquinas run
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
