The Warwick Junior Hockey Association’s 8-U Mite team won the South Coast Hockey League Championship earlier this month, proving to be the state’s best team.

The mites went 26-3-1 in their regular season while also winning three other tournaments in the process.

“We felt pretty strongly (about our chances) as the year went on. We had a strong core of kids, we won three other tournaments. We were in a good spot and the kids came to practice every day and worked hard. They earned everything,” said WJHA 8-U Mite coach Matt Martin.

Competing against teams out of state, including clubs from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, helped prepare the mites for their league playoff run.

“It helps tremendously. They were up to every challenge that was put in front of them. The kids had a lot of fight, they were a gritty team,” Martin said. “They went nuts (when they won the title), smiles from ear to ear. It was a great feeling for them.”

Martin was proud of his players for performing at such a high level in their age group, especially in a sport as challenging as hockey.

“Hockey is one of those sports where you have to layer. First you need to learn to skate, then you need to learn to skate with your head up. There’s so much involved, even before you get to the Mite-A level. These kids have already been skating for three years. Hockey is so different from the other sports out there, there’s a lot of work to be put in,” said Martin. “The kids impress me every day.”

Members of the WJHA’s 8-U Mite team included: Finley Birkenfeld, Louis Boyajian, Camden Callahan, Elijah Camp, Edward Corbett, Jensen Drouillard, Daniel Giansanti, Mason Martin, Andrew Medouris, Nico Milone, Santino Palumbo, Autumn Parker, Grayson Prosek and Lyla Schowalter. Coaches were Matt Martin, Michael Birkenfeld and Sean Parker.

For more WJHA championship coverage, check out next week’s Warwick Beacon.