YMA Lady Eagles Seniors Emilee Doherty, left, and Arsela Mustafaj
By Dan Murphy
The Yonkers Montessori Academy, YMA, Lady Eagles Girls Varsity basketball team continues its undefeated streak into 2026 and is now 10-0. We spoke to Coach Elle Moise about his team’s success and his two star players, Emilee Doherty and Arsela Mustafaj.
One thing we have noticed about Coach Elle and his players is that they are prepared for every game and play as a team, with different players stepping up when needed. That is why they are undefeated and on their way to a special season.
The Eagles first took care of business in Yonkers by winning the City Championship for the fifth year in a row. Emilee Doherty has 15 points, Liliana Toro had 14 points, Grace Gleeson had 9 points, Anisa Mustafaj had 8, Je’Vaeh Thompson had 6, and Naomi De La Cruz had 5.
On Jan. 2, the Lady Eagles went up to the County Center in White Plains and, in the Crusader Classic/Slam Dunk Showcase, beat a good Ardsley team 65-37. Emilee Doherty scored 27 points, Anisa Mustafaj and Liliana Toto both had 10 points, Arsela Mustafaj had 9 points, Grace Gleeson had 7 points, and Je’Vaeh Thompson had 2 points! Emilee Doherty was named MVP.
On Jan. 5, YMA beat Woodlands 77-41. Emilee Doherty led all scorers with 25 points, Arsela Mustafaj had 14 points, Anisa Mustafaj had 11 points, Liliana Toro had 10 points, Grace Gleeson finished with 8 points, Je’Veah Thompson had 4 points, Gianna Ruiz had 3 points, and Fiona Kenny had 2. “Every player on our roster played today and had fun!” said Coach Elle.
Next up was a tough game against Hamilton, with YMA winning 53-42. Anisa Mustafaj led the Eagles with 17 points, Emilee Doherty had 14 points, Liliana Toro had 11 points, Arsela Mustafaj 9 had points, and Grace Gleeson had 2 points.
Next up was Haldane, and it was an easy 58-18 win. Anisa Mustafaj led with 19 points, Grace Gleeson had 18 points, Arsela Mustafaj had 14, Jodi O’Donnell had 3 points, and both Je’Vaeh Thompson and Gianna Ruiz finished with 2 points. Coach Elle said, “Despite battling the flu… girls pulled it off.”
This weekend, YMA will face its biggest challenge of the year, heading down to Brooklyn for the Rose Classic and a faceoff with Summit Academy, which won the state title last year and is 16-2. After that, YMA faces another challenge against Tappan Zee.
“Our early-season wins against Ardsley, Tuckahoe, and Hamilton were our biggest wins so far. Summit Academy and Tappan Zee will be two of our biggest challenges. None of this is possible without the kids, families, and community behind us,” said Coach Elle.
The Lady Eagles are led by their two seniors. Doherty and Anisa Mustafaj, but Coach Elle also receives contributions from several other players, making this team a tough one to beat.
We keep telling folks, don’t sleep on the YMA Lady Eagles this year!
