St. Dominic girls basketball's Mia Padula, Lily Onorato send Bayhawks to NSCHSAA final
Mia Padula of St. Dominic saves a ball behind her back in the first quarter of a CHSAA Class A girls basketball semifinal against St. John the Baptist on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 in Patchogue. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
In search of a first league title since 2008, why not make a statement by winning a playoff game in dominating fashion?
The top-seeded St. Dominic girls basketball team defeated No. 4 St. John the Baptist, 61-13, in the semifinals of the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA playoffs Saturday afternoon at St. Joseph's University in Patchogue. St. Dominic will face No. 3 Sacred Heart in the final, scheduled for 4 p.m. on Monday at St. Joseph's.
"We went into this game with a whole different mindset," said senior point guard Mia Padula, a Salisbury University commit. "We don't underestimate any team. We are the number one seed, and everyone wants to try to beat us."
Padula had a game-high 15 points, Lily Onorato also had 15 points and added six rebounds, and four assists. Marlo Knox chipped in nine points for St. Dominic (17-1).
"This has been our goal from day one," said Onorato, who is committed to UConn for soccer. "I knew the way to help my team was by playing defense and moving the ball around."
The Bayhawks started the game off in a full-court press - forcing turnovers, making proper rotations, and turning their defense into offense by being active in passing lanes.
"My girls come out and play as hard as they can," coach Paul Bianco said. "We try to play fundamental basketball, we have great athletes who can cover the court, and whenever we can, we get out and run."
St. Dominic went on a 34-0 run that lasted three quarters, sparked by an outlet pass from Onorato, who found Padula in transition.
"We like to play faster than most teams play," Padula said. "We play great defense, and we get a lot of baskets like that. It helps us move the game along."
Onorato, who is the team's longest-tenured player, says the sisterhood and camaraderie they have built over the years make winning playoff games much easier.
"Every late practice, every workout, and every single second with each other has brought us together," she said. "It's a real sisterhood here at St. Dominic's."
Chloe Noonan scored nine points for St. John the Baptist (3-12)
Now, the attention shifts to Sacred Heart.
"If we play our game and everyone plays their role, we can beat any team," sophomore Riley Szokoli said. "I transferred here [from Glenn] this year, and it's my first playoff team. Being with these girls has been a blessing."
Added Padula: "We told coach Bianco that we are going to put a banner on the wall this year."
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
