A group of 10 local fifth graders playing Ridge Youth Sports (RYSI) made history when they finished their undefeated 18-0 season by winning the Jersey Basketball League (JBL) Championship game on Saturday against Chatham Blue.

JBL President Mitch Aronson confirmed this is the first time Ridge girls (of any grade) have won the championship.

The Ridge team was coached by Tim Salmon and Keith Donley and was made up of young athletes representing Cedar Hill, Liberty Corner and Oak Street schools.

On Saturday, the game began with Ridge down 8-9 after the first quarter. Ridge found momentum in the second quarter, taking a narrow lead into halftime at 17-16. 

The third quarter ended 27-22. The game remained close with Chatham tightening the score to 32-31 before Ridge widened the lead in the last three minutes, winning the game 37-33.