St. Joseph Controls the Pace, Finishes Strong Against St. Francis

Both teams came out firing from beyond the arc, setting an exciting tone to start the game. St. Joseph found success in the paint with strong finishes and consistent dribble penetration, while St. Francis capitalized on off-ball movement and second-chance opportunities to stay competitive. Late in the first half, St. Francis' defense backed off the three-point line, allowing St. Joseph to hit open shots and close the gap. However, St. Francis' dominance on the boards and second-chance points helped them secure a 26-20 lead heading into halftime.

The second half mirrored the first, with St. Francis continuing to generate open looks from offensive rebounds and St. Joseph countering with effective three-point shooting. As the game progressed, St. Joseph gained momentum and took the lead through their sharpshooting, while St. Francis battled hard to stay within reach. In the final minutes, foul trouble challenged St. Francis' defensive intensity, allowing St. Joseph to control the pace and close out the game with a 47-42 victory.

Bulldogs Hustle to Victory of St. Paschal (7th Grade)

The Gesu Bulldogs opened the game with strong hustle and communication, while the St. Paschal Green Knights executed their offensive sets but struggled to convert their looks into points. As the first half progressed, the Bulldogs gained momentum, assisting on open shots and dominating in the paint to finish with 17 points. Meanwhile, the Green Knights created opportunities but faced tough luck shooting, finishing the half with just one point.

In the second half, the Green Knights switched to a 2-3 zone to limit the Bulldogs' presence in the paint. Despite the added pressure, the Bulldogs stayed consistent on offense, adapting well to the defensive adjustments. The Green Knights found their scoring rhythm late, putting up 20 points in the second half, but the Bulldogs’ earlier success secured them a 27-21 victory in a hard-fought game.

St. Pascal Wins a Thriller over St. Joseph (7th Grade)

In the second game of the Morrissey Classic, St. Paschal Baylon and St. Joseph- Avon Lake was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with both teams fighting hard to gain the upper hand. St Joseph came prepared with sharp shooting and quick passes, and St. Paschal Baylon responded with aggressive drives to the basket and tight defense. The lead shifted several times as both teams played with energy and determination, each refusing to back down. Both teams distributed points respectively and by halftime, the score was nearly even with St. Joseph up 23-18, setting the stage for an exciting second half.

The second half of the game remained highly competitive, with both teams continuing to fight hard for every point. St. Paschal Baylon came out strong, trying to close the gap with quick baskets and solid defense, keeping the pressure on St. Joseph. However, as the game progressed, St. Paschal Baylon started to find their rhythm, with key players stepping up to make crucial plays. Their defense tightened, limiting St. Joseph’s  scoring opportunities, while on offense, they capitalized on fast breaks and smart passes. By the middle of the second half, St. Paschal Baylon began to pull away, building a small lead thanks to timely shots and effective ball movement. Within the last 2 minutes, St. Joseph made crucial baskets and trailed St. Joseph by only 4 points. With many fast breaks and putting pressure on St. Joesph, St. Paschal Baylon pulled off the win.

 This thrilling game ended with a final score of 50-41, led by St. Paschal’s top scorer #3 Les who finished with 18 points and several assists. They also had strong contributions from other players, 12 points from #20 Payne, 9 points from #32 Walter, and many key contributions from #42 Mittman, #15 Schneider, #14 Detzel, and #2 Norris. St. Joseph’s standout player #32 Hartzell scored 15 points and grabbed an abundance of rebounds, while #10 Luca added 8 points and #54 Carone, #52 Watson, #34 Conrad, #20 Smolko, and #3 Faltenovich scored points respectively. St. Paschal’s defense was crucial, recording steals and forcing several turnovers that helped them maintain control in the second half. Both teams shot well from the field, but St. Paschal’s ability to capitalize on fast breaks and key possessions made the difference.

Holy Trinity Holds off a Relentless St. Dominic’s (7th Grade)

St. Dominic's opened with a strong defensive presence, using a 3-2 zone to force Holy Trinity into taking contested shots. Their effort on the boards and ability to draw fouls kept the game competitive early, as they matched Holy Trinity's intensity. Both teams played with energy, but St. Dominic's hustle stood out as they fought to stay in the game.

Holy Trinity eventually found their rhythm offensively, using dribble penetration to create open looks from beyond the arc. They were able to consistently make their threes, which gave them an edge as the game progressed. Despite St. Dominic's relentless effort and determination, Holy Trinity's shooting touch helped them secure a well-deserved win, 40-32.

Gesu Rolls Past Lake Catholic Academy 52-26 (7th Grade)

The first half of the game was an intense back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets and keeping the score close through most of the half. Each possession felt like a pivotal moment, as players hustled for rebounds and executed quick passes to create scoring opportunities. For Gesu, #13 Salata scored 10 points with sharp shooting and aggressive drives to the basket, while his teammates contributed key defensive stops and solid passing to keep the team in rhythm. On the other side, Lakewood Catholic Academy #24 MacDonald also tallied 10 points, showcasing impressive range and composure under pressure, with strong support from his team on both ends of the court. However, in the late part of the first half, Gesu went on a scoring run, pulling ahead by capitalizing on fast breaks and turning up the defensive intensity, giving them a solid lead heading into halftime.

The second half continued the competitive spirit of the first, with both teams showcasing their determination and talent. Although Lakewood Catholic Academy came out strong with a few baskets and competitive defense, Gesu maintained their composure and kept the lead through smart plays and solid teamwork. Both teams had standout performances, with players making key shots, grabbing important rebounds, and hustling on defense to keep the intensity high. Lakewood Catholic Academy continued to shine, creating opportunities and all players energizing the team, while Gesu’s balanced effort and strong defensive plays ultimately allowed them to hold their advantage. In the end, Gesy secured the victory, but both teams played with heart and displayed impressive skills, making for an exciting and hard-fought game.

Gesu won the game with a final score of 52-26, led by #32 Edwards who finished with 15 points and many rebounds. #13 Salata contributed with strong all-around efforts, including 12 points. #4 Salter with 11 points, and solid performances all around from #12 Plato, #2 Comerford, #1 Broberg, and #0 Todd. Lakewood Catholic Academy’s leading scorer #24 MacDonald tallied 10 points and  many assists, while their second-leading scorer #54 Glagola added 9 points with clutch plays. Strong plays from #41 Blesi, #23 Stefanski, #32 Stehlik, and #11 Marzich aided the team in their efforts. Both teams shot well from the floor, but Gesu’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and execute in the clutch made the difference in this competitive matchup.

LCA Wins a Nail Biter Over Hawken to Become the 8th Grade Morrissey Classic Champions

The final game, and most highly anticipated game of the Morrissey Classic, the 8th grade championship was underway with LCA winning the tip. 

A steal by Hawken’s Kingston Caldwell led to a quick transition three from Isaiah Mclain, and just like that the Hawks struck first. LCA wasted no time on the other end however, responding with a two-pointer by Gavin Smedley. 

Tommy Grajzl contributed to the fast paced offensive attack by Hawken out of the gate, scoring three points by way of a two pointer and a free throw. With 3:38 remaining in the first quarter, Hawken led 6-4. 

A quick three by Boone Stehlik for LCA was followed up by a beautiful layup in transition by Callum Smetana, and the Saints had taken a 10-6 lead after a 6-0 run. 

Logan Messek closed out the first quarter scoring with a triple for the Saints, and LCA led after one quarter of play 15-10. 

A mid range jump shot from Moss Zieman got the scoring started in the second quarter for the Saints, with LCA leading 17-10 with 6:04 remaining. The mid range shooting continued to hold efficiently for LCA with Harper Carroll following up Zieman’s mid range shot with one of his own. 

Hawken battled back, cutting the lead to five with LCA leading 19-14, but a Will Stefanski right wing three with 2:34 remaining in the half extended the Knights lead back up to eight. 

A much needed bucket by Kadyn Grattan in transition for Hawken would provide a spark before half, but once again Will Stefanski responded with a three pointer on the other again extending the lead back up to double digits. 

At the midpoint, LCA led 27-17. 

Scoring would open up in the third quarter by way of an Isaiah Mclain free throw cutting the Saints lead back down to single digits. Tommy Grajzl would get fouled on the following possession and make two free throws of his own. The Hawks 3-0 run to start the half would narrow the Saints lead, 27-20. 

After a series of offensive rebounds extended the possession for LCA, Logan Messek capitalized by draining a corner three, putting the lead back up to ten. 

A steal by Jonah Johnson in the back court would lead to a quick fast break layup for Hawken’s Johnson. Another steal on the inbound would lead to a three pointer by Hudson Grant cutting the Knights lead down to five. 

LCA would quickly respond with a fast break layup, and the momentary offensive chaos would calm down with LCA leading 32-25 with 2:11 to play in the 3rd quarter. 

Quick transition baskets due to fantastic defense by Hawken would narrow the LCA lead to one possession, with the Knights leading 32-29 going into the final quarter.  

Battling through a full court press, the Knights were able to capitalize on a second chance offensive rebound and score thanks to Harper Carroll. Another bucket in the paint on the following possession by LCA’s Moss Zieman would extend the lead. Logan Messek nailed a corner three on the very next possession, and LCA’s 7-0 run to start the final quarter would have them in the driver's seat leading 39-30, with 5:40 remaining. 

Tommy Grajzl would hit a top of the arc three with 2:03 remaining, cutting the Saints lead down to 4, with LCA still leading 39-35. LCA followed up the shot by taking a timeout, and just like that the Hawks had a glimmer of hope. 

Hawken would cut the lead down to two following a mid range bucket by Tommy Grajzl. Grajzl would then convert on a free throw cutting the lead down to just one.  With LCA leading 41-40, a clutch layup by Harper Carroll would extend the lead to 43-41. On the next possession Will Stefanski would make a free throw putting LCA back up three points, leading 44-41. Hawken would then convert on a two pointer cutting the lead back down to one, with the Knights still leading 44-43. 

With Hawken needing to foul, Logan Messek would go to the free throw line with 4.1 seconds left with the Knights leading by one. Messek would miss the first, and make the second. Hawken would regain possession with 4.1 seconds to go down 45-43 with a chance to tie, or take the lead. 

A right wing three by Jonah Johnson would be Hawken’s last ditch effort, but the shot would rattle off the back of the rim as time expired. 

Lakewood Catholic Academy would have a moment to exhale, winning the 8th grade Morrissey Classic Tournament in the final seconds.

Hawken Shoots the Lights Out, Beats Gesu to Win 7th Grade Morrissey Classic Championship

The first championship game of the day was underway in the University Schools Varsity Gym with Gesu winning the tip. 

An empty possession for Gesu, gave Hawken their first chance of the day. Brennan Twarkdous converted a layup underneath and the Hawks struck first, leading 2-0. A barrage of points would continue with each team following up with scoring possessions. Gesu would knot the game up at two by way of a Jack Favret layup, and on the other end Will Gardener would cash in, giving Hawken a 4-2 lead. 

Midway through the first quarter, Hawken led 6-4. 

A beautiful feed underneath by the Hawks KJ Sinclair found Malcolm Claytor for a quick layup, extending Hawken’s lead as the lead 10-4. On the next possession, Jack Favret would score for Gesu on a tough bucket in the paint, cutting the Hawks lead down to two. 

At the conclusion of the first quarter, Hawken lead Gesu 12-6. 

Owen Collins started off the second quarter with a corner three for Gesu, and on the following possession Lincoln Thomas would nail a triple of his own for Hawken. With 5:33 left in the half, Hawken led 17-9. 

The Hawks would continue to have success from beyond the arc, as with 4:30 remaining Liam Savatt drilled a right corner three, extending the Hawks lead to double digits, leading 20-9. 

Offensive explosion kept ensuing for the Hawks as Malcolm Claytor closed out the half with a two pointer. Hawken lead at half convincingly, 33-16. 

Gesu, looking for a spark on offense, opened up the scoring in the second half thanks to a Grady Parnin two. Hawken immediately responded on the other end with a layup by Will Gardener, sustaining the 17 point lead. 

Jack Favret would continue with his hot hand for Gesu, scoring four points in the first four minutes by way of a layup and a mid range jump shot. With 3:48 remaining, Hawken led 37-23. 

A floater by Malcolm Claytor with time expiring ended the third quarter with Hawken leading 48-29. 

Owen Collins started off the fourth quarter scoring with a left corner three for Gesu, and continued to rain down three pointers. Miller nailed another three with 4:31 remaining, with Hawken still leading 57-31. 

With the final buzzer sounding, the Hawken Hawks defeated Gesu by a final score of 61-42, claiming the 7th grade Morrissey Classic Championship. 

Malcolm Claytor led the way for Hawken with 11 points, and 5 assists. KJ St. Clair and Will Gardener also helped lead the way scoring for Hawken with St. Clair going for 12, and Gardener for 10.

US Outlasts St. Mark 39-29

University School won the opening tip and game three in the varsity gym of the Sunday slate was underway. 

A quick steal under the basket by Rodeen Totonchi would lead to a quick bucket in transition by Connor Klug, giving the Preppers the first points of the game. 

James Dessel would quickly respond with a fast break of his own, giving St. Mark their first points of the afternoon, tying the game up at two. 

The Prepper’s Jamal Little would cap off a very defensive quarter on both sides of the floor with a layup under the basket, and University School would be deadlocked at eight points with St. Mark after one.  

Jamal Little would cash in first in the second quarter for University Schools, scoring on a contested fast break layup giving the Preppers a 10-8 lead. 

Rocco Walton would respond immediately for St. Mark with a sweet mid range fadeaway notting the game back up even. On the very next possession for St. James Boylan would finish on a difficult right hand layup and draw a foul. Although Boylan didn’t convert the free throw, his bucket put St. Mark in front 12-8. 

James Dessel capped off the half with a right hand layup giving St. Mark a 17-14 lead headed into the rest. Dessel shined in the first half, scoring a game-high nine points. 

The second half would begin slowly offensively for both teams. With no points being scored in the first four minutes of the third quarter, the score remained 17-14 in favor of St. Mark. 

Finally, University Schools would strike first in the second half by way of a Rodeen Totonchi floater, cutting the St. Mark lead down to just one point. 

On the very next possession, St. Mark would get a bucket for the first time in the half thanks to Tom Schmidt, extending the St. Mark lead back up to three points. The lead would be short lived however, as on the following possession Connor Klug would hit a corner three for the Preppers tying the game even at 19 points with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter. 

A great move in the post by Tom Schmidt  would close out the scoring in the third quarter, with St. Marks leading 23-21. 

With 6:36 remaining in the game, St. Mark’s Drew Koch started off the scoring in the final frame with a three pointer from the top of the arc. Jamal Little of University Schools would waste no time responding by getting a fast break bucket on the other end. With 6:14 left, University Schools lead 27-24. 

Quick transition scores for the Preppers pushed their lead up to 32-29, and with 2:30 remaining, Nico Morelli nailed the game's possible dagger by way of a right wing three for extending the lead to six points, with University Schools leading 35-29. 

With 43 seconds remaining, a free throw made by Connor Klug, and a pair of free throws made by Brian Wheelock extended the Preppers lead to 38-29. 

University Schools outlasted St. Mark in a highly contested battle by a final score of 39-29.

Holy Trinity Pulls Away in the 4th, Bests St. Francis 45-33

The first half of the game was back and forth for Holy Trinity and St. Francis with great offense and defense from both teams leading to the score being 15-14 going into the third quarter with Holy Trinity on top.

In the second half St. Francis worked hard to close the gap but Holy Trinity was keeping themselves in the game with great teamwork, ball movement, and defense. Holy Trinity eventually pulled away leading them to secure a 12 point lead at the end of the fourth quarter. 

Holy Trinity would go to secure a win with a final score of 45-33.

Preppers Hold Off LCA in Final Seconds, Win 28-26

The first quarter started off slow with a score of 4-4 at the end, both teams played a lot of defense with short amounts of times on offense.

Both of the teams have had back and forth points on the board at the start of the second quarter. With great intensity on both sides of the ball from LCA’s number 2 Finn Radke, he put up some points up and had impressive defensive steals. However, the Preppers number 2 Jason Walker, promptly answered back with a clutch 3 pointer. With some more impressive play the score going into the third quarter is LCA 14 and University Schools 13.

In the second half LCA was working hard to extend their lead but the Preppers were keeping themselves in the game with good great offensive attacks and defensive stops. The Preppers eventually pulled away leading them to secure a close 2 point lead at the end of the fourth quarter.

Preppers would go to secure a win with a final score of 28-26.

Holy Trinity Starts Out Hot, Never Looks Back; Beats St. Gabe’s 42-31

With the Eagles of Holy Trinity winning the tip, game two of the Saturday afternoon slate was underway in the University Schools Varsity Gym. 

Patrick McGreal started off the scoring getting an easy bucket underneath, giving the Eagles the first points. The offense continued to be efficient and fast paced for Holy Trinity out of the gate after Noah Daher converted on an and one underneath, and then followed that up with a triple on the Eagles next offensive possession. Midway through the first quarter, Holy Trinity boasted a double digit lead. 

With 27 seconds remaining in the quarter, Josh Smul would tally the first points of the game for St. Gabriel after a quick drive up that started at the top of the key and resulted in a tough right hand layup. 

Thanks to a tenacious trap defense, and efficient offense, Holy Trinity would lead 13-4 after one. 

Two minutes into the second quarter, Brody Moran drew a foul in the air and would finish on a right hand layup, hopefully providing a spark for a stagnant St. Gabriel’s offense to start. 

However, Gio Parentei would respond for Holy Trinity on the other end with a right wing three, extending the Eagles lead to 18-8. 

Holy Trinity would finish up the half on a 5-0 run, and take a 23-10 lead into the break. 

Holy Trinity’s Gio Parente would open up the scoring in the second half with a quick euro step into the paint and would finish with the right. 

The third quarter would consist of the same dominant trap defense being run by Holy Trinity, with St. Gabriel only scored three points in the quarter coming by way of Brody Moran. Fluid ball movement and efficient scoring allowed the Eagles to lead 32-13 going into the final quarter of play. 

Quick offense by St. Gabriel opened up the final quarter and cut the Holy Trinity lead down to only eight. With three minutes remaining, Blake Newman drilled a right wing three pointer to cut the lead down to five. Gio Parente quickly responded to Holy Trinity cashing in on a two point shot, extending the Eagles lead back up to seven. With two minutes remaining, Holy Trinity led 36-29. 

Despite the come from behind effort, Holy Trinity would hold on for a 42-31 win.

Knights Cruise to Victory over the Bulldogs

With the Bulldogs winning the tip, the first game of the Sunday slate was underway at the varsity gym at University Schools. 

Joey Puletti of St. Paschal started the game off fast, scoring the first four points for the Bulldogs in transition. Jerome Bohanon immediately responded for Gesu, knocking down a three pointer at the other end to get the scoring started for the Bulldogs. 

With 3:50 remaining in the first quarter, #5 for Gesu would steal the ball and convert on a fast break giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the day at 8-6. 

The scoring would continue for both teams to finish out the opening quarter, capped off by a Joey Pulleti triple giving St. Paschal a 12-9 lead after one. 

The Joey Puletti show would continue for St. Paschal as he scored their first points of the second quarter with a beautiful left hand layup. PJ Kunchik would follow up with a steal of his own, and finish on the other end, giving the Knights 4-0 run to start the quarter. 

The big man for St. Paschal, Luke Spinos, would finally get on the board in the second quarter scoring four points in a one minute span midway through. Spinos’ bucket would give the Knights a double digit lead over Gesu, leading 24-13. 

Rex Waggle would finish out the half with a layup, and the Knights of St. Pascal would take a convincing 31-13 lead into the half. 

The third quarter would see explosive scoring once again for the Knights. Great ball movement lead to wide open shots underneath, and open 3’s for St. Paschal and they did not fail to convert. With Puletti once again leading the way in the third quarter, the Knights would take a 44-18 lead headed into the final quarter. 

Propelled by a Luke Spinos double double, and a 15 point effort from Joey Pulleti, the Knights would cruise to a 54-24 victory. 

St. Gabe’s Strong Defense Subdues LCA 29-25

Both defensive units from LCA and St. Gabriel played lock down defense in the first quarter. With impressive defensive rebounds from St. Gabriel’s number 0 Brody Moran, St. Gabriel up 9-3 at the end of the first.

Starting off hot in the second quarter St. Gabriel continued to pull away where we saw points from number 15 Josh Smul, including one of which being an impressive buzzer beater 3, making the score going into the third St. Gabriel 17 and LCA 3.

In the second half we saw a 3 pointer in the third quarter from LCA’s number 0 George Shoaff, which started to close the gap between St. Gabriel and LCA to only 4 points. Between back and forth points from both teams the rest of the quarter, the score going into the fourth was St. Gabriel 22 and LCA 18.

Tying the game up with 5 minutes left in the fourth number 0 on LCA, George Shoaff makes an impressive layup to make the score 22-22. Both teams playing aggressively on both offense and defense, St. Gabriel pulls away to clutch the win with a score of 29-25.

St. Gabriel would go to secure a win with a final score of 29-25.

Gesu Fights Back and Gets the Dub 33-27 over Holy Trinity (7th Grade)

Gesu’s TJ Salata scored the first points of the game with a nice corner 3 shot. Holy Trinity’s Grant McMahon stole the ball and tied the game with an easy layup to make it 3-3. Gesu’s Jack Favret hit Anthony Vitale with a nice assist done low for his first points of the game. Both teams offenses seem to be operating smoothly. Jack Favret took it coast to coast for a nice layup. Mason Mostella hit a nice mid range jumper to increase the lead 13-9.

Holy Trinity’s Noah Daher was assisted by Noah Plungas on a nice layup. Noah Plungas hit a nice mid range jumper and then gave a nice pass to Noah Daher. Jack Favret had a crucial block in the paint to stop a potential scoring possession.

Holy Trinity came out of the half hot getting out to an 11 point lead midway through the third quarter. An Owen Collins three ball swayed the momentum for Gesu bringing them within four. A pair of Eagles mid-range jumpers made the third quarter final 33-27.

Fourth quarter scored started with a big three from Gesu’s Tj Salata. Both offenses started to catch steam as both teams traded buckets. Grady Parnin tied the game up with a fast break layup. Quickly answered by Bennett Adkins the other way for the Eagles. Jack Favret took the lead for Gesu for the first time of the game with 1:32 left on the clock. A solid defensive plan gave the Bulldogs the ball back and sent Zak Workman to the line and gave Gesu a three point lead. One last defensive stop would decide the game as Bennet Adkins hauled a full court buzzer beater but Gesu pulled off a come from behind victory 42-41.

LCA Hold Fends off Fierce St. Mark’s Pressing Defense 35-31

In a tightly contested matchup between St. Marks and LCA, LCA emerged victorious with a final score of 35-31. Harper Carroll's dynamic performance played a pivotal role in LCA's success, showcasing his skills with contested layups, a crucial 3-pointer, and impactful assists to Moss Zieman. 

The game was marked by intense defensive plays from both teams, limiting second-chance opportunities and open looks. The 4th quarter witnessed a strong comeback attempt by St. Marks, led by James Dissel's clutch plays, including a mid-range shot and a pivotal 3-pointer that narrowed the lead. 

However, LCA secured the win with a balanced effort, including contributions from Logan Messek's 3-pointers and Gavin Smedley's dominant presence in the paint. St. Marks' pesky defense made a late push, outscoring LCA 13-4 in the final quarter, but LCA's lead proved insurmountable, securing their victory in a hard-fought contest.

Holy Trinity Wards Off St. Paschals Comeback Attempt

Holy Trinity earned a well-fought win over St. Paschals in the 4:00 pm game. 

The Knights and the Eagles got off to a collective slow start in the first quarter. All of the offensive action came in the closing seconds of the quarter.

Joey Puletti drilled a corner three to put the Knights ahead 5-2 with under 30 seconds left. Robbie Duray answered right back and tied the game with a three-pointer of his own on the other end of the floor. 

The offenses opened up in the second quarter as the Eagles led 16-11 at the break. Maddux Payne led the Eagles, scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds in the first half. 

After a strong end to the first half, the Eagles could not carry any momentum into the third quarter. The Knights opened the second half on a 4-0 run before surrendering a layup in the final minute. They trailed 18-15 heading into the fourth quarter. 

A 7-0 run by the Eagles to start the fourth quarter ended the Knights’ winning hopes. The Eagles led 25-15 with 6:17 remaining in the game. 

Puletti and the Knights fought until the final whistle, but ultimately were not able to complete the comeback and fell 31-27 to the Eagles.

Puletti scored a game-high 12 points with two assists. Duray had 10 points and four rebounds for the Eagles. 

St. Francis Take Big 1st Quarter Lead Over Gesu; Never Looks Back

In a competitive matchup between GESU 8th and St. Francis 8th, St. Francis emerged victorious with a final score of 40-30. The game's momentum swung in favor of St. Francis early on, led by standout performances from Ben Renfro and Liam McCrone. Renfro's post layup and McCrone's 4-point contribution fueled a commanding 14-2 run in the 1st quarter, establishing a substantial lead. Despite Patrick Murphy's efforts for Gesu, scoring 10 out of their 12 first-half points, St. Francis maintained control.  

The second half saw St. Francis extending their lead, with notable plays including a powerful and-1 layup by McCrone and a crucial three-pointer from Trip Gaghan. Although Gesu's Murphy and company fought back in the 4th quarter, highlighted by Denver Dupre's corner 3 and Jerome Bohanon's contested layup, St. Francis secured the win. The top scorers for St. Francis were Renfro, McCrone, and Joe Garisek, while Murphy, Bohanon, and Will Quail led the scoring charge for Gesu.

Hawken Ups the Defense, Beats St. Gabe’s 39-27

Hawken beat St. Gabriel in the Morrissey Classic with a final score of 39-27.

Both defensive units from the Hawks and St. Gabriel played lock down defense in the first quarter. St. Gabriel up 3-2 at the end of the first.

Starting off hot in the second quarter St. Gabriel’s number 23, Blake Newman notched a 3 pointer to give St. Gabriel a 4 point lead. However, matching the same energy the Hawks number 4, Malcom Claytor answered back with a 3 pointer. Both teams were hungry for points, with a score of 15-9 going into the third quarter, St. Gabriel leading.

In the second half the Hawks were working hard to extend their lead but St. Gabriel was keeping themselves in the game with good ball movement and communication. The Hawks eventually pulled away leading them to secure a 12 point lead at the end of the fourth quarter.

Hawken Hawks would go to secure a win with a final score of 39-27.

Eagles Soar Past Preppers 46-30 (7th Grade)

Holy Trinity used their defense and rebounding in the final three quarters to defeat the University School Preppers, 46-30. 

University School jumped out to an early 11-7 first quarter lead, but the Eagles responded quickly with a strong full court press that was giving the Preppers fits for the entirety of the second quarter. Gio Parente and Bennett Adkins led the way offensively in the first half for the Eagles, scoring nine and seven points respectively. Resulting in a 24-15 lead for Holy Trinity, going into halftime. 

The defense and rebounding of the Eagles really became evident coming out of the break. Nothing came easy for the Preppers, as Grant McMahon and Patrick McGreal seemed to get their hands on every pass into the paint. The shots began to fall in droves for the Eagles as they erupted to a commanding 42-18 lead after three.

Kashi Paramasivam of US hit a big three to open the fourth quarter for the Preppers. Shots began to fall for University as they began to chip away at the deficit. However, the physical defense of the Eagles proved to be too much, as Holy Trinity would fly away from the Preppers

Parente led the way offensively for Holy Trinity, scoring 13 points. Adkins also grabbed five boards and added nine points for the Eagles. For the Preppers, Duncan Hollingsworth scored 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, good for a double-double.

LCA Cruises Past St. Francis of Assisi 43-20

Lakewood Catholic Academy finds themselves in the win column, after defeating St. Francis of Assisi, 43-20

The Cougars jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to Brayden Philipp making a bucket and converting the foul shot. The dominance continued throughout the first quarter, as St. Francis of Assisi would finish the quarter with a 10-4 over LCA.

While the Cougars started off hot, the Saints of Lakewood Catholic Academy found their offensive groove in the second quarter, scoring 10 points to St. Francis of Assisi’s six points. The offensive surge for LCA led to a close game heading into halftime, 16-14 in favor of the Cougars.

St. Francis of Assisi's first half was powered by the duo of Liam McCrone and Brayden Philipp, who shared five points. Ben Renfro also contributed to the efforts early on, racking up eight rebounds and four points in the first two quarters of play.

LCA continued their hot streak into the third quarter of play, when the Saints went on a 10-2 run in the third quarter to take a 24-18 lead. The excellent combination of offense and defense gave LCA a huge advantage going into the fourth quarter, as they held the Cougars to only two points while scoring 19 points of their own.

Harper Carroll and Moss Zieman dominated the entire matchup, as Carroll finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Zieman totaled 10 points and nine rebounds. Logan Messek also stepped up for the Saints, adding six points and six rebounds.