History was made on March 1, 2025, when the Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Lady Cougar basketball team won its first Florida High School Athletic Association 3A Championship in Lakeland.
The 64-54 victory for the Sarasota team was extra sweet as it came after the team fell short in the State Finals during the previous four years. Adding to the joy, the win was over The Bolles School of Jacksonville, a team that beat the Lady Cougars in the State Championship Games three times in the past five years.
The Lady Cougars were led by senior captain Kali Barrett who had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore Madi Mignery had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Sy’Monique Simon added 11 points. The team finished the season with a 24-9 record, finishing on a 17-game winning streak after starting the season 7-9.
Kali Barrett said to reporters after the win, “Amazing! I’ve been here four times in a row now. It showed how hard work paid off – the early mornings, the late nights – staying in it to the end.”
Madi Mignery said it is an amazing platform to play at Cardinal Mooney. “This is the best feeling – we worked so hard for this, and to get it done means everything to me.”
A large crowd from Cardinal Mooney travelled to Lakeland to witness history.
Meanwhile, the game fell on the same night as the Mooney “Gratia Gala” at the Westin in Sarasota. Mooney supporters, including Bishop Frank J. Dewane, watched a live stream of the game during the Gala cocktail hour, cheering on the team to victory. The Gala was a huge success in support of planned renovations to the Selby Center.
The team earned the right to play in the State Final by winning the State Semifinal game on Feb. 28, 65-52 over Sports Leadership & Management (SLAM) of Miami.
Before the team headed to the State Semifinal game, the players made a visit to St. Martha Catholic School and St. Mary Academy where students lined the driveway to cheer on the players.
Cardinal Mooney held its own rally for the players the night before heading to Lakeland. Before travelling to Lakeland for the Semi Final game on the morning of Feb. 28, Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, celebrated Mass for the team.
