The Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Lady Cougar State Champion Basketball Team received their championship rings during a celebratory ceremony in the Patterson Gymnasium on June 19, 2025.
The team won its first Florida High School Athletic Association 3A Championship on March 1, at RP Funding Arena in Lakeland, defeating their nemesis, The Bolles School of Jacksonville, with final score of 64-54. The win, the first in Mooney history, was particularly sweet because it ended a four-game losing streak in the state championship game.
All of the past heartbreak faded away and became a mere distant memory as the young ladies were presented with their championship rings, a celebration of a great accomplishment on the court and the culmination of much hard work off the court.
Head Coach Marlon Williams, who received his own ring, said as a coach he wanted to bring a championship to Cardinal Mooney for the girls who work so hard each day.
“I’m so proud of them,” Coach Williams said. “To see these young ladies grow every day, it was a blessing to be a part of this.”
The large gold rings were emblazoned with the emblem of the Mooney Cougar and studded with small synthetic diamonds and rubies.
Sy’Monique Simon, one of the graduating senior captains on the team, said the ring was beautiful and heavy, but it represented something special for her and the other recent senior graduates who had endured three previous years of heartbreak. “Business is for sure finished,” she exclaimed.
Principal Ben Hopper said this final acknowledgement of the Cougars girls basketball team was important, noting how these athletes epitomize everything that Cardinal Mooney stands for, as young ladies and as people of Christ.
“For giving up their time and talent to the school and each other, we thank you for the commitment. What you have accomplished as a group truly is remarkable,” Hopper said, adding how their championship legacy will have a lasting impact on Cardinal Mooney for years to come, but most important on the young athletes. “We celebrate your talents and accomplishments on the court, but also who you are as young ladies and as people of Christ.”
The opening prayers and blessing of rings were presided over by Deacon Jack Milholland, a Mooney graduate who serves at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch. As part of the final blessing over the rings, Deacon Milholland prayed: “As they wear these rings, may they always be inspired to continue to live lives of virtue, integrity, and service, always striving for excellence in all they do and always give glory to your Holy Name. We ask you, Christ, Our Lord, Amen!”
All but a few of the team members were able to attend the ceremony, with some graduated seniors already off to college.
The 2025 State Championship Cougar Girls Basketball Teams are: Madi Mignery, Talia Busser, Sy’Monique Simon, Riley Martin, Avery Davis, Josie Maloni, Ava Bruno, Charlie Scibelli, Emily Wilson, Brielle Buckley, Lailani Washington, Kali Barrett, London Guy, and Mishyah Rumph.
Others receiving rings were assistant coaches Quinton Swader and Cortney Sawyer, Athletic Director Rafael Fernandez, Athletic Trainer Megan Peters, and Principal Hopper.
