St. Pius X 7&8 Grade boys win the first CYO Championship Playoff game since CYO reintroduced boys volleyball after a 28 year absence.
Below: All Saints School wins second place in the CYO Championships for volleyball November 16th at Valley Catholic School.
Watch the entire volleyball game here:
Cathedral 7th Grade Girls won first place in the 2024 Volleyball Championships this week, presented by CYO and hosted by Valley Catholic High School. Second place was taken by St. Thomas More (Photo not available) Watch the entire game below.
With the CYO Basketball Tournament in the rear-view mirror and a much-needed vacation under my belt, I want to circle back and make some BLOG notes about what I observed in the CYO tournament games in the Greater Portland area this year.
The Caitlin Clark Effect is thriving. Having recently broken the NCAA scoring record for both men and women this season, and for four years’ worth of outstanding college play, Caitlin is the most popular sports figure in America at the present. Caitlin is inspiring young girls AND boys in the sport of basketball.
I asked several young CYO players if they had heard of Caitlin Clark, and they all answered with a resounding “yes”. The number 22 has taken on as much or more popularity than 23 (Michael Jordan’s number).
I am a Caitlin Clark fan as well. I am pulling for her team to win the National Women’s NCAA Basketball title (now that my alma mater OSU has been eliminated GO BEAV’S). I have done a deep dive on YOUTUBE watching Caitlin Clark’s games and they are truly amazing. I have studied her style, the long shots, her ability to penetrate in the paint, her all around game. She has a remarkable ability to read the floor and know where her teammates are or will be and get the ball to them for scores. She is truly a generational player.
Our children are emulating her game. Because I have studied Caitlin’s game so closely, I can see that our kids are watching her and copying her style. I smile to myself and am grateful for a first class, exciting, wholesome, exceedingly talented person for kids to look up to. God bless you, Caitlin Clark!
#Caitlin Clark
2024 CYO 8th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School
Home Team: Valley Catholic
Coaches: Shawn Bonnett, Ryan Hoppes
Players: Aaron, Aiden, Jaxon, Liam, Lucas, Luke, Sam, Tyson
Mascot: The Valiants
Visiting Team: Holy Family
Coaches: Chris Wojnar, Dan Heichelbech
Players: Cole, James, Luke, Mario, Mark, Reef, Robbie, Ry
Mascot: The Cardinals
Game Highlights:
Valley Catholic and Holy Family traded points with the Valliant’s seizing the lead and ending the first quarter with a positive margin of 4. The deficit increased for Holy Family in the second quarter where they were outscored by 12 to end the quarter 30 – 14. The Valliant’s won the regular season contest but at tournament time it is anyone’s game.
At the end of the third quarter, The Valliant’s led the Cardinals by 17. Holy Family started to gain in the fourth quarter, but the Valliant’s kept them at bay with a few well-timed shots. Holy Family shot several three pointers in the last few minutes which brought them back within 6 points.
Quarter 1: Valley Catholic 15 – Holy Family 11
Quarter 2: Valley Catholic 30 – Holy Family 14
Quarter 3: Valley Catholic 44 – Holy Family 27
Quarter 4: Valley Catholic 60 – Holy Family 54
2024 CYO 8th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School
Home Team: St. Pius X
Coaches Ted Stark, Trond Williams
Players: Alexa, Anna, Catherine, Emma, Lauren, Samantha, Zea
Mascot: Panthers
Visiting Team: All Saints
Coaches: Kevin Wellnitz, Sarah Wellnitz, Kevin Kriesien
Players: Alexa, Chloe, Failenn, Grace, Harper, Katherine, Quinn, Sophie, Stella
Mascot: Ramblers
Game Highlights:
All Saints and St. Pius X began the game with a photo of both teams together symbolizing the friendships that have been built over the years in competitions between the teams. The gesture was a tribute to both programs.
All Saints sunk a 3 pointer to get the game started and the two teams were off to the races. St. Pius outscored the Ramblers by 2 to end the first quarter. In the second quarter, All Saints tightened their game, held onto the ball and ended the half ahead by 7.
The third quarter saw the Panthers claw their way back and tie the game with 2 minutes left in the quarter. St. Pius X took the lead after a 30 second timeout with Coach Ted Stark. St. Pius went ahead until All Saints tied it back up with 20 seconds to go then sunk a three pointer at the buzzer for a 3 point lead going into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, “The Game”, All Saints went ahead by 6 while St. Pius X continued to work away at the deficit. With four minutes left the Panthers cut the lead by 2. Lauren for the Panthers sunk a three to bring it within 1 then All Saints sunk another deuce to keep a three-point margin. Alexa drew a foul but could not convert any points then fouled on the rebound leading to Panther free throws. With two minutes left, Lauren made one of two and All Saints got the rebound. Emma went back to the free throw line for the Panthers, made one and it was All Saints ball, one point difference.
The panthers stole the ball and headed down the court scoring two to put St. Pius ahead by 1. Pius played catch till fouled with 20 seconds left in the game. Zea missed the first, sunk the second and All Saints again could not hold onto the ball giving it up to Pius and fouling to keep the game alive. Samantha goes to the line and sinks one, misses one now a three point lead and Lauren goes to the line for Piux. She misses both her free throws and All Saints cannot get the ball to the other end of the court to score. St. Pius X wins the 8th grade girls championship by three in a great game.
Quarter 1: St. Pius X 10 – All Saints 8
Quarter 2: St. Pius X 12 – All Saints 19
Quarter 3: St. Pius X x – All Saints x
Quarter 4: St. Pius X 40 – All Saints 37
2024 CYO 5th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School
Home Team: Franciscan Montessori Earth School
Coaches: Adrian Esteban, Alex Esteban
Players: Daniel, Diego, Ethan, Herbie, Jackson, Koji, Lyons, Nebie
Mascot: Saints
Visiting Team: St. Clare
Coaches: Kevin Myers, Matt Williams
Players: Ahren, Bennett, Canyon, Emmett, Liam, Oliver, Sam, Santiago, Silas, Tim
Mascot: The Dragons
Game Highlights:
A slow paced, balanced game, tied with 1:50 left in the third quarter thanks to 3 steals by the Saints, Lyons and shooting by Ethan. The Saints took the lead after a 6-point deficit near the end of the third quarter.
HISTORY: This was the first time Franciscan Montessori Earth School has won the City Championship level, the highest level of the CYO Basketball Tournament.
Quarter 1: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 6 – St. Clare 9
Quarter 2: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 16 – St. Clare 15
Quarter 3: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 29 – St. Clare 25
Quarter 4: Franciscan Montessori Earth School 44 – St. Clare 34
2024 CYO 5th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School
Home Team: St. Pius X
Coaches: Karie Conner, Katherine Wight, Mariah Johnson, Michael Liu
Players: Audrey, Charlotte, Eleanor, Gabrielle, Genesis, Ivy, Jeter, Layla, Natalia
Mascot: Panthers
Visiting Team: St. Anthony
Coaches: Ashley Bouchard, Charlie Keller
Players: Allie, Amara, Brielle, Caroline, Emerson, Holly, Kendall, Lea, Paige, Resa, Riley, Sloane, Zoe
Mascot: The Hawkes
Game Highlights:
St. Pius X came out to an early lead outscoring St. Anthony by 15 in the first quarter. Layla’s height and athleticism enabled the Panthers to keep control of the ball.
In the second quarter, the Panthers again came out scoring, rebounding, and controlling the ball. With 2 minutes left in the quarter, the Hawkes began scoring and added 7 points to the tally.
Caitlin Clark, the inspirational, NCAA record breaking scorer is influencing the play in girls’ basketball and it is evident from the bleachers!
In the third quarter, the Hawkes outscored the Panthers and slightly reduced the deficit to 22 points behind the skillful shooting and ball handling of St. Anthony’s Riley and Sloane.
Both teams had some great young players who are developing very good skills. As they continue to grow and mature, we will see these teams again and who knows what it might look like next year! So far, my favorite game of the tournament.
Quarter 1: St. Pius X 21 – St. Anthony 6
Quarter 2: St. Pius X 37 – St. Anthony 13
Quarter 3: St. Pius X 51 – St. Anthony 29
Quarter 4: St. Pius X 66 – St. Anthony 38
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?
Easter…because Jesus Christ died for our sins, gave His life and rose from the dead after 3 days, gifting us with eternal life.
2023 CYO 7th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School
Home Team: Valley Catholic
Coaches: Chris Bernards (Head Coach), Andy Schaer
Players: Tristan, Liam, Tyson, Tyler, Aaron, Sam, Connor, Lucas, Luke, Gavin
Mascot: The Valiants
Visiting Team: St. Pius X
Coaches: Bob Lukasiewicz (Head Coach), James Williamson (AS)
Players: Collin, Sean, Blake, Aiden, Mateo, Alec, Cedric, Brady, Zach, Austin, Matthew, Oliver
Mascot: Panthers
Game Highlights:
Two teams that have a lot of respect for one another made for a great contest between the clubs.
Quarter 1: Valley Catholic 13 – St. Pius X 10
Quarter 2: St. Pius X 34 – Valley Catholic 23
Quarter 3: St. Pius X 52 – Valley Catholic 28
Quarter 4: St. Pius X 70 – Valley Catholic 43
2023 CYO 7th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School
Home Team: St. Pius X
Coaches Ted Stark (Head Coach), Marc McCullagh
Players: Avery, Maddy, Zea, Alexa, Lauren, Madeline, Samantha, Anna
Mascot: Panthers
Visiting Team: Holy Redeemer
Coaches: Sonora Thirdgill
Players: Edie, Nola, Jayda, Jeannemarie, Julia, Isira, Amelia, Gema, Eva, Kalkidan, Sera
Mascot: Wildcats
Game Highlights:
Quarter 1 – With 4:54 left in the first quarter, McCullagh scored the first basket of the game from the charity line to give the Panthers the lead. Stiles for Holy Redeemer tied the game at the other end of the court from the free throw line with a score of 1-1 with 3:56 left in the quarter. With 2:30 left in the first quarter, Holy Redeemer scored the first bucket of the game to lead the game 3-1.
Quarter 2 – Both teams got into the groove early in the second quarter and St. Pius X Stark drilled a three pointer to bring them within 1 point of the Wildcats. She sunk another 3 on the next trip to her basket to go ahead before the Wildcats answered with a 2 pointer to even the score at 9-9.
Bourque scored a three pointer for Holy Redeemer with 2:30 left in the first half and Stark put a third three pointer in for St. Pius X. More 3 points were scored in the first half than 2 point baskets.
Quarter 3 – Holy Redeemer came out of the break and scored two quick baskets to tie the game and got the ball back immediately on a St. Pius X inbound infraction. Both teams were pumped for the second half. Much back-and-forth excitement, three pointers, great defense on both teams.
Quarter 4 – St. Pius X scored 5 quick points including a three pointer to get the quarter started giving them a 10-point lead early on. Holy Redeemer could not dig their way out, missing their shots in the fourth quarter. A great game between two talented teams.
Quarter 1: Holy Redeemer 5 – St. Pius X 1
Quarter 2: St. Pius X 20 – Holy Redeemer 16
Quarter 3: St. Pius X 35 – Holy Redeemer 30
Quarter 4: St. Pius X 45 – Holy Redeemer 38
CYO/Camp Howard 