The Ithaca-based GRC Firebirds won the 7th Grade Division 3 title at the 2026 AAU World Championships in Knoxville, according to The Tompkins Weekly. The middle school girls basketball team won four games in four days to claim the championship.
The Firebirds opened with a 35-28 win over Missouri Phenom STL Betts before defeating Ohio’s Leaders Select 2031 NXTPRO, 65-40.
They advanced to the championship game after beating Pennsylvania’s T2N Finest, 45-14, in the semifinals.
In the title game, the Firebirds rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit and beat Maryland Movement, 31-29.
Joharra Lucena and Lucy Sauve earned MVP honors for the team, while Maggie Josey and Janaiyah Lucena were also credited as key contributors.
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