St. Paschal Gets in a Groove or Rolls to the 7th Grade Morrissey Classic Title

With a St. Pascal win of the tip, the 7th grade championship was underway. 

The Green Knights would open up the game on a 8-0 run, with four of those points coming from Tristian Lee. 

In need of a quick response, Holy Trinity’s Kevin Bee tallied the first points of the afternoon for his team with a right wing three pointer. 

Following a steal, a bucket in transition by St. Pascal forced Holy Trinity to call their first timeout of the evening trailing 16-5 with 12:54 to go in the first half. 

Tristian Lee continued to build upon his impressive night. With 6:00 remaining, Lee got free in the paint thanks to a pretty euro step, extending the Green Knights lead to the largest of the night, up 30-16 with five minutes left before the halftime break. 

After a commanding first half performance, St. Pascal took a 32-19 lead into halftime. 

Lee, adding to his game-leading point total notched the first four points of the second half extending the Green Knights lead to 35-19 five minutes in. 

With 10 minutes remaining in the game, St. Pascal continued to ride a 12-0 run to open the final frame, holding Holy Trinity scoreless in the second half at the midway point. 

With 4:37 remaining, Holy Trinity would finally break through with their first points of the second half. Rocco Duray connected with a floater just outside of the paint making the St. Pascal lead 51-21. 

Led by a 21 point effort from Tristian Lee, the Green Knights cruised to a Morrissey Classic 7th grade Championship victory with a convincing 57-25 win.

St. Raphael Shoots the Lights Out for the Morrissey Classic Championship

A back and forth first few possessions highlighted by stellar defense remained the game scoreless for the first three minutes. Joey Romaine would notch the games first bucket with a floater, allowing St. Raphael’s to take the first lead. More back and forth basketball would ensue with St. Raphael’s holding a 5-2 lead six minutes in.

Capped off by a Sam Mace three pointer, St. Raphael’s would go on a 9-0 run extending the lead to 14-2. 

Holy Trinity would then respond with a 7-0 run of their own thanks to transition baskets off of forced turnovers. With 8:19to go in the first half, the Eagles trailed 14-9.

With teams trading buckets of their own down the stretch, St. Raphael would find themselves with their biggest lead of the afternoon with 2:35 remaining, up 31-18 thanks to back to back triples.

Holy Trinity would finish out the first half scoring thanks to points by Gio Parente and Bennet Adkins. 

At the break, St. Raphael led 33-20. 

Possession opened up with St. Raphael’s to start the second half, and following a stop on defense, Holy Trinity’s Bennet Adkins opened up the scoring with a nice post move. 

A quarter of the way into the second half, Joey Romaine would continue to impress for St. Raphael. With 15:26 remaining, he’d tally his 18th point to the night with an and one layup, finishing through tough contact. 

Midway through the final half, St. Raphael’s continued to add to their lead, winning 49-28, just ten minutes away from a tournament victory. 

Desperate for a run, Holy Trinity switched to a full court press. Thanks to back to back steals Noah Doher took advantage with two fast real layups of his own. 

With momentum on their side, Holy Trinity trailed 52-40 with three minutes remaining. 

Looking to seal the victory for St. Raphael’s, Patrick McGreal would knock down the dagger with 46 seconds remaining. 

Led by a tremendous performance from Joey Romaine, St. Raphael’s would secure the Morrissey Classic 8th Grade boys Championship with a 54-40 victory. 

Gesu (Salata) Rolls Gesu (Stonequist) for 3rd Place (7th Grade)

The final consolation game for 7th grade featured some Gesu-on-Gesu crime as Salata’s team took on Stonequist’s team for third place.

Salata’s team, which featured significant height and size difference, took off to an early 23-12 lead in the first half behind key buckets by #12 Plato and #13 Salata. This overshadowed some great three point shooting by #1 Barilla and #2 Vitale.

In the second half, Salata’s boys came out strong defensively, preventing Stonequist’s team from scoring until the midway point of the second half, when #12 Gladstone banked in a big three.

But it was not enough, as Salata’s team continued the defensive pressure and took advantage in the paint, scoring big rebounds on both ends of the floor, converting them into points and taking a comfortable lead to cruise to victory, 45-17.

LCA Claims 3rd Place over St. Joseph With a 56-38 Victory

LCA jumped out to an early lead passing the ball well and finding ways to get to the bucket helped kickstart a 41-25 lead in the second half. Trailing all through the second half that didn’t stop the Vikings from playing a strong game and staying aggressive on the ball.

LCA kept the offense attack strong moving the ball well and finding open looks all over the court with ease. For LCA Sam Coury had a strong 16 points. The Vikings couldn’t find an answer to the dominant offensive production of LCA. The St. Joseph full court press proved to make things more difficult for the LCA team but ultimately it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit of the first half.

LCA finished on top 56-38 over the St. Joseph Vikings on day two.

St. Gabe’s Fends off St. Francis’ Last Shot Attempt, Wins 40-38

St. Francis and St Gabriel went back and forth throughout the first half.

All Tournament team nominee Brady Moran took over offensively taking advantage in the paint for the Grizzlies. The zone defense proved hard to break for the St. Francis offensive. The stars of the first half for the Cougars include a three point attack from Aiden Jacubowski. Both teams keeping it close heading into halftime with a 20-19 game in favor of the Grizzlies of St. Gabe’s.

A three ball from St. Francis Ryan Robinson paved the way for a two shot 6-0 run to take the lead in the early minutes of the second half. St. Gabriel took advantage of free throws feeding Brady Moran in the paint.

At the midway mark of the second half St. Francis held a narrow 34-33 lead. A deep two from Nicky Robert’s forced a timeout by St. Gabriel with the score 36-33 Cougars. A great finish at the rim from the left hand of Brady Moran brought the Grizzlies back within one. A foul with under a minute left tied the game up at 38. St Gabriel found their bread and butter man, Brady Moran for a bucket with 3.3 seconds left and the lead.

St. Francis couldn’t get a last second shot off and St. Gabriel comes away with the 40-38 win in an exciting game from Court 1.

LCA Holds on in a Barnburner, 49-48, Over St. Dominic (7th Grade)

The 7th grade tournament action continued this afternoon in a contest between LCA and St. Dominic. A fast paced first half led to some great buckets by both teams. Both teams were able to establish their offenses early, giving open looks all over the court. The onslaught of scoring by #15 Whisenant, who posted 11 points in the first half, helped propel St. Dominic to a 29-20 lead.

In the second half, #32 Stehlik continued his sharp shooting for LCA, knocking down his fourth three pointer of the game to force a timeout by St. Dominic. Both teams became more aggressive defensively, which led to critical turnovers. Those turnovers led to key buckets by both teams. Whisenant continued his stellar play on both sides of the ball, leading both teams with 25 points, but it wasn’t enough as LCA was able to play keep-away in the final seconds to win 49-48 in a barnburner.

Gesu Executes Their Game Plan, Results in a Victory over St. Paschal 45-34

Day 2 opened up action with two teams seeking their first win of the weekend. Action opened up early with Gesu jumping out to an early 7-5 lead, after TJ Salata and Bentley Becker both hit from beyond the three point line.

Midway through the first half, a pair of steals and three blocks from St. Pascal’s Kailen Price kept the Green Knights in the ball game trailing by just two. An explosive run for Gesu put them up at the half 22-14.

The Gesu ball movement creating plays was the story of the second half. This propelled them to a 14 point lead forcing a timeout by St. Pascal’s head coach with 13:33 left in the game. A quick foul drawn by John Fallon looked to spark the offensive attack but Mason Mostella and the Bulldogs were quick to answer now with a comfortable 35-19 lead. Kailen Price wasn’t done as he made a strong finish at the rim for an and one opportunity. Kylan McHugh hit a couple of late threes as well.

In the final minutes Gesu’s all around execution both offensively and defensively allowed them to retain the previously built lead and secure them a 45- 34 victory over the Green Knights of St. Pascal Baylon.

St. Josephs Ekes Out a W in OT over St. Paschal, 26-24

Day two of the Morrissey Classic kicked off on Court 2 between the 7th grade teams from St. Paschal and St. Joseph. Both teams struggled mightily with ball control to start the game which resulted in lots of turnovers. Both teams relied heavily on their defenses to wreak havoc on the court, limiting scoring opportunities. These tenacious defenses limited scoring to just 18 total points in the first half, with St. Paschal taking a slight advantage, 10-8, at the end of the first half.

The second half found both teams back on the court with the same defensive intensity, however the offenses started to perk up, with quick buckets off fast breaks. St. Paschal began to find their groove midway through the second half, with #5 Verdone carving his way through the paint for several key buckets and big three pointer. Unfortunately, turnovers reared their ugly head allowing St. Jospeh to tie the game and force overtime.

In overtime, St. Joseph struck first and got huge defensive rebounds to burn out the clock and sneak out with a 26-24 victory.

Day 1 Main Court Coverage

St. Raphael Eyeing the Prize, Rolls into the Morrissey Classic Final 58-16 Over St. Joseph

In a thrilling basketball game, St. Raphael’s  dominated the first half, maintaining a solid lead throughout with precise shooting and strong defense. Their offense was efficient, making crucial baskets and moving the ball well, while their defense kept the opposing team from finding a rhythm. Despite the lead, the game was far from over, and St. Joesph’s Avon lake, though struggling in the first half, showed resilience and determination to make adjustments in the second half. St. Rachel’s ended the first with a huge lead being 35-6.

In the second half, the St.Raphael’s  continued their dominant performance, maintaining an insurmountable lead from the first half and never letting up. Despite the St. Joseph’s best efforts to mount a comeback, defense remained impenetrable, forcing turnovers and turning them into easy transition points. The team struggled to find any rhythm, unable to break through the Blue team’s relentless pressure. By the time the final buzzer sounded, St.Josephs had secured a comfortable 58-16 victory, wrapping up a game they controlled from start to finish

Holy Trinity’s Fast Breaks and Quick Play Wears Down LCA, 55-33; Headed to the Morrissey Classic Championship

LCA faced Holy Trinity in an exciting tournament matchup filled with energy and fast-paced play. From the opening tip, Holy Trinity controlled the game, using their quick tempo and solid shot selection to score efficiently. Despite facing heavy ball pressure, LCA executed their sets well and generated open looks. Holy Trinity's hustle translated into fast-break opportunities, helping them close the first half with a 22-13 lead.

In the second half, LCA started strong by knocking down open shots, but Holy Trinity maintained their intensity, adding second-chance points to their tally. While LCA continued to create open opportunities, they struggled to convert consistently. Holy Trinity extended their lead to 18 points with seamless offensive execution, showcasing discipline and efficiency. Both teams traded baskets in the closing minutes, with impressive finishes in the paint and LCA's sharp shooting from beyond the arc keeping the game entertaining. In the end, Holy Trinity secured a 53-33 victory in a hard-fought contest.

St. Gabriel Capitalizes on Rebounds, Bests Gesu 45-27

In a highly anticipated matchup, St. Gabriel faced Gesu for the first time in this tournament. St. Gabriel took an early lead, but Gesu’s well-executed offense kept the game close throughout the first half. St. Gabriel’s ability to capitalize on rebounds and second-chance points played a key role in their offense. Before halftime, Gesu turned up the pressure with effective traps, gaining more control of the game’s pace and narrowing an 8-point deficit to trail just 20-18 at the break.

The second half opened with St. Gabriel surging ahead through fast-break opportunities and strong defensive rebounding. Gesu responded with dribble penetration to create shot opportunities, keeping their energy and determination alive. Despite Gesu’s hustle and persistence, St. Gabriel’s finishing in the paint and efficient shot selection allowed them to maintain their lead. In the end, St. Gabriel pulled away for a 45-27 victory in a hard-fought contest.

St. Francis Doubles Up on St. Paschal 38-19

In the first half of the basketball game, St. Francis dominated both ends of the court, racing to a commanding lead with impressive shooting from beyond the arc and a stifling defense that shut down St.Paschal Baylons offense. Despite some early moments of promise from St. Paschals Baylon including a couple of fast-break points and a few contested baskets, they struggled to find consistency

St. Francis players were on fire, combined a total of  38 points. St. Paschals lack of depth and missed free throws kept them from gaining any momentum, and by the break,  was comfortably ahead by 15 points. With the way things were shaping up, it seemed unlikely that St. Paschal would be able to come back. The final score ending up being 38-19

Holy Trinity Takes Advantage of Sloppy Gesu Play, Wins 39-22.

The first half of the basketball game was a thrilling, back-and-forth contest, between Holy Trinity and Gesu battling fiercely for control. The score remained close throughout, but at the end of the half Holy Trinity leads by 4. Solid defense and strategic plays kept the game tense, with neither team able to pull away. Players on both sides showed impressive hustle, grabbing key rebounds and making timely shots, but the game stayed neck-and-neck, the score at half being 19 Holy Trinity And Gesu 14.

The second half of the basketball game was a nail-biter, with both teams playing intense, midway through the momentum began to shift. Gesu struggled with turnovers and missed free throws, while their opponents capitalized with timely steals and quick fast breaks. Despite several attempts to stay within striking distance, the trailing team couldn’t recover their earlier rhythm. As the final minutes ticked down, fatigue and frustration set in, and their shots stopped falling, allowing the other team to pull away and secure a hard-earned victory. In the end Holy Trinity took advantage of all their chances and ended up coming out on top. Holy Trinity ended up winning 39-22.

Make Your Free-Throws; Gesu Free Shots Help Outlast St. Paschal 41-37 (7th Grade)

The St. Paschal Green Knights and the Gesu Bulldogs faced off in an exciting and competitive matchup in this tournament. Throughout the first half, both teams traded points in the paint, with Gesu showcasing hustle under the basket, leading to strong shot creation and easy scores. St. Paschal's solid defense made it a challenge for Gesu to maintain their momentum, keeping the game tight and hard-fought.

As the second half unfolded, both teams battled fiercely to gain the upper hand. St. Paschal capitalized on fast breaks and second-chance opportunities while applying ball pressure to disrupt Gesu's offensive flow. In a thrilling finish to regulation, Gesu locked in and delivered a clutch game-tying shot to send the contest into overtime at 37-37. However, with St. Paschal scoring just once in overtime, it came down to free throws, where they edged out Gesu in a hard-fought 41-37 victory.

LCA Fends Off a Late Push by St. Joseph, Wins 31-27 (7th Grade)

In a fast-paced and thrilling matchup between LCA and St. Joseph, both teams showcased strong defensive efforts in the paint, keeping the score under 15 points in the first half. St. Joseph displayed relentless determination on the boards, grabbing offensive rebounds but struggling to convert their second-chance opportunities. Meanwhile, LCA attacked the basket with purpose, setting the stage for an intense second half.

As the game progressed, LCA began to find their rhythm, hitting key shots from outside the paint while maintaining their aggression on offense. St. Joseph fought hard until the final whistle, showing resilience and determination, but LCA’s ability to make clutch shots when it mattered most secured their hard-fought 31-27 victory.

St. Dominic’s Finds Groove, Routes St. Paschal 23-14 (7th Grade)

The first half of the basketball game was a hard-fought, competitive battle, with both teams coming out strong. Both St. Dominic and St. Paschal Baylon traded baskets early on, each side playing tough defense and pushing the ball up the court quickly. However, as the half progressed, St. Dominic’s  started to find their rhythm, hitting key shots and capitalizing on turnovers. Their defense intensified, leading to fast-break opportunities that helped them build a lead. Despite St.Paschals Baylon’s best efforts to stay in the game, including a few strong individual performances, St. Dominic’s  offensive flow and defensive pressure allowed them to gradually pull away. By the end of the half, Saint Dominic’s had built a solid lead, finishing with a 23-14 advantage as they controlled both ends of the floor.

The second half saw St. Dominic’s  continue to dominate, extending their lead with every passing minute. St. Paschals Baylon fought hard to mount a comeback, but St. Dominic’s  defense remained stifling, and their offense stayed in sync, executing fast breaks and hitting key shots. St. Dominic’s  lead grew steadily as they capitalized on turnovers and made smart plays to maintain control of the game. St. Paschals Baylon showed flashes of energy, but they struggled to close the gap as

St. Dominic’s  depth and consistency proved too much. With a few minutes left, 

St.Dominics lead had swelled to a comfortable margin, and they cruised to a well-deserved victory, finishing with a final score of 43-23.

St. Dominic’s won the game with a final score of 43-23, led by their top scorers A. Whisenant who scored 13 and O. Rinker who scored 12. They also got strong performances from Q Johnson who also scored 6. Saint Paschals Baylon standout player was G. Frcho was scored 12, while A. Verdone scored 7. St. Dominic’s team played an outstanding game and led the game the entire time. St. Paschals Baylon was unable to defeat them and came up short in the end with a final score of 43-23

St. Raphael’s Confident Play Throttles Past St. Paschal

St. Raphael started the game with full-court pressure, quickly taking an early lead against St. Paschal. Both teams moved the ball well, finding open cutters for shots in the paint, but as the pace settled, St. Paschal’s hustle and effective boxing out kept them within reach of the talented St. Raphael squad. Late in the first half, St. Raphael’s defensive adjustments forced St. Paschal to settle for outside shots, and with a big scoring run in the middle of the period, St. Raphael pulled ahead to a 35-4 lead.

In the second half, St. Raphael controlled the pace of the game, keeping their offense clicking while St. Paschal continued to fight hard. Despite their hustle, St. Paschal struggled to keep up with Raphael’s high-scoring offense. Both teams contributed with shots from beyond the arc, making it a shooting battle on offense. As the game wound down, St. Raphael slowed the tempo and burned the clock, securing a dominant 63-19 victory.

Holy Trinity Dominates the First Half, Cruises to Victory over Gesu

The first half was a fast-paced, competitive start, with both teams exchanging early baskets and keeping the game tight. Holy Trinity came out strong, with both sides playing aggressive defense and pushing the tempo. However, as the first half progressed, Holy Trinity began to find their rhythm, capitalizing on fast breaks and hitting key shots from the perimeter. They slowly started to pull away, building a steady lead with solid teamwork and defensive stops. Gesu fought hard to stay in the game, but they struggled to find consistency on offense, allowing Holy Trinity to extend their lead. By the end of the half, Holy Trinity held a commanding 27-12 lead, with their defensive pressure and offensive execution making the difference.

The second half saw Holy Trinity maintain their dominance, continuing to execute both offensively and defensively with precision. Despite Gesu’s best efforts to mount a comeback, Holy Trinity’s lead only grew as the game wore on. With five minutes remaining, Holy Trinity was up by 30 points, showcasing their ability to control the pace and capitalize on every opportunity. Gesu fought hard, but they couldn’t overcome the defensive pressure or the fast breaks that Holy Trinity consistently generated. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Holy Trinity had sealed a comfortable victory, finishing with a commanding score and leaving no doubt about their control of the game throughout both halves.

Holy Trinity won the game with a final score of 58-28, led by their top scorer #54 Adkins who finished with 15 points. They also had solid contributions from #12 Daher who added 12 points and many assists, along with #50 Stell and #15 Parente with double digits. #35 McMahon, #34 McGreal, #14 Plunges, #0 Ballard, and #33 Pompeani contributing to the success of this 30 point win. Gesu’s standout player #2 Salata scored 18 points, while #21 Burke contributed 5 points. #3 Workman, #11 Mostella, #14 Vitale, #15 Collins, #23 Gozur, and #25 Parnin aided in the team’s effort during this game.

Hard-Fought, Low-Scoring Affair Leads to a LCA Victory over St. Gabe’s

The first half of the game was a hard-fought, low-scoring battle between Lakewood Catholic Academy and St. Gabriel with both teams playing strong defense and struggling to find consistent scoring opportunities. Both teams traded baskets throughout the half, with each side fighting for every point. Baskets went back and forth with no distinct lead from either teams.Both teams missed a few opportunities, with defenses forcing tough shots and limiting fast-break chances. By the end of the half, the score was tight at 14-13 in favor of Lakewood Catholic Academy, with both teams showing determination and intensity as they headed into the break. It was clear that the second half would be just as competitive, with neither team giving an inch.

The second half was just as competitive as the first, with both teams continuing to battle hard for every point. At one point, St. Gabriel managed to pull ahead by a few points, building a small lead with some key baskets and solid defense. However, Lakewood Catholic Academy wasn’t ready to give up, quickly closing the gap with fast breaks and a couple of clutch shots. The momentum shifted back and forth as both teams exchanged leads, with each side fighting for control of the game. With a crucial foul and perfectly executed imbounds play, Lakewood Catholic Academy takes the lead by 1 point. With the impressive effort to avoid St. Gabriel’s from scoring, Lakewood Catholic Academy held on in the final seconds to secure the win. It was a thrilling finish, with both teams playing with heart and strategy in the final seconds, but Lakewood Catholic Academy secured the win 34-29

Lakewood Catholic Academy won the game with a final score of 34-29, led by their top scorer #3 McDermott who finished with 8 points and a multitude of rebounds. They also got strong contributions from #54 Coury who added 7 points. #51 Theofilos, #45 Blesi, #30 Livchak, #21 Corrigan, #20 Houser, #4 Lease, and #0 Shoaff all contributed to the success of this team. St. Gabriel’s standout player #0 Moran finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while all teammates, #2 Pellecchia, #3 Lauric, #1 Reagan, #11 Morgan, #15 Smul, #23 Newman, and #24 Milk added a few points respectively and played competitively.