CYO 8 Girls, A Game to Remember!


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

CYO 7 Boys BXB Nail Biter to the End


2024 CYO 7th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: All Saints

Coaches: Damien Barron, Michael Barron

Players: Any, Deacon, Devin, Henry, Kien, Kyan, Luke, Oliver, Sebastian, Seth, William

Mascot: Ramblers

Visiting Team: St. Anthony

Coaches: Kenneth Fleming, John Larosa II, Jennifer Schmitz

Players: Alex, Bassel, Ben, Carson, Conor, Gabriel, Garrett, Isaiah, Marc, Rey

Mascot:  The Hawkes

Game Highlights:

All Saints led the contest by a margin of 5 by the end of the first quarter.  St. Anthony won the regular season contest between the clubs.  In the second half, the Hawkes fought their way back to tie the game at 18 all as All Saints took a 2-point lead into the half.

The second half opened with Seth from All Saints connecting on a 3 point and immediately blocking the shot of the Hawkes and getting the ball.  Ben from St. Anthony connected on a three pointer to keep the Hawkes close.  The third quarter ended with a 1 point difference favoring the Ramblers.

The fourth quarter was the “game” and with under three minutes St. Anthony took the lead for the first time and there were 5 lead changes until St. Anthony sunk a three pointer and added a point on the foul.  With 29 seconds in the game, the Hawkes lead by 5 points. With 17.2 to go, the Ramblers put in a three pointer to cut the deficit to 2.  All Saints gave it their best shot in the last few seconds but could not get the ball to drop in the hoop.

Quarter 1: All Saints 13 – St. Anthony 9

Quarter 2: All Saints 20 – St. Anthony 18

Quarter 3: All Saints 31 – St. Anthony 30

Quarter 4: All Saints 38 – St. Anthony 41 FINAL

CYO 7 Girls Dominate Season & Championships


2024 CYO 7th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Anthony

Coaches : Aubrey Turley, Charlie Keller, Michael Turley

Players: Alice, Allison, Brenna, Bridget, Josie, Kayla, Leighton, Lydia, Madeline, Presley

Mascot: The Hawkes

Visiting Team: Holy Family

Coaches: Norm Hersom, Kelly Betteridge, Andrew Owings

Players: Beatrice, Gia, Kiele, Kirsten, Luna, Piper, Sasha, Sloane

Mascot: The Cardinals

Game Highlights:

St. Anthony, undefeated in regular season play came out to a quick lead shooting and scoring to end the quarter with a 12-point lead.  The Cardinals found their stride in the second quarter but could not match the scoring of the Hawkes. The quarter finished with a 21-point favor to the Hawkes.

In the second half, the Hawkes continued to dominate and show a lot of excellent skills that made them this year’s championship team.  The Cardinals gave a wonderful effort in the contest today.

Quarter 1: St. Anthony 16 – Holy Family 4

Quarter 2: St. Anthony 34 – Holy Family 13

Quarter 3: St. Anthony 40 – Holy Family 19

Quarter 4: St. Anthony 56 – Holy Family 23

CYO 6 Boys CITY BXB Upset


2024 CYO 6th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches Darin Widmer, Christopher McCollister, J.D. Larson, Min Lee

Players: Aaron, Alexander, Avery, Grant, Griffin, Jace, Jameson, Max, Micah, Nico

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: Holy Family

Coaches: Chris Wojnar, Andrew Over, Marcus Penhale

Players: Anthony, Attivus, Dylan, Jack, Jackson, Jacob, Luke, Rory, Tomas

Mascot: Cardinals

Game Highlights:

St. Pius won the contests by a narrow margin in pre-season play.  Holy Family jumped out to a 10 point lead in the first half with St. Pius X in close pursuit.  Holy Family continued to lead by 10 at the end of the third quarter in a very exciting game by both teams.  The fourth quarter was truly the game with boy teams vying aggressively for the ball and making many of the shots they put up.  With four minutes left in the game, Holy Family lead by 12 with both teams matching basket for basket.  With 1:41 left in the game, it was an 8 point game with both teams still in it to win it.

Quarter 1: St. Pius X 12 – Holy Family 14

Quarter 2: St. Pius X 16 – Holy Family 26

Quarter 3: St. Pius X 29 – Holy Family 40

Quarter 4: St. Pius X 49 – Holy Family 57

CYO 4th Boys Barnburner Championship


2024 CYO 4th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Clare

Coaches Randy Morrison, Jason Varga, Erick Dennis

Players: Archie, Colin, Henry, Jack, James, Kinsley, Luca, Reid, Tate

Mascot:

Visiting Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Darin Widmer, Sam Greenstein

Players: Charlie, Chase, Everett, Ford, Graha, Jack, Leo, Michael, Spencer

Mascot: x

Game Highlights:

Exciting first quarter with a lot of good play between the teams, evenly matched with a quarter ending score of 10-10.

St. Clare went ahead by ten in the third quarter.  St. Pius X fought their way back in the fourth quarter.  With 1:20 left in the game the Panthers, Chase, sunk a 3 pointer to go ahead by 2.

Quarter 1: St. Clare 10 – St. Pius X 10

Quarter 2:

Quarter 3: St. Clare 32 – St. Pius X 25

Quarter 4: St. Clare 34 – St. Pius X 36

CYO 8th Grade Girls BXB play for the Gold


2023 CYO 8th Grade Girls City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: Valley Catholic

Coaches Zach Bromert (Head Coach), Frank McKeen (AS), Maggie McKeen (AS)

Players: Hannah, Leah, Meghan, Ruby, Avery, Malia, Louisa, Leah, Grace, Stephanie, Natalie

Mascot: The Valiants

Visiting Team: St. Rose

Coaches: Craig Thomas (Head Coach), Joe Healy (AS), Christopher Brennan (AS)

Players: Delaney, Gabriella, Peyton, Fia, Caitlin, Portland, Kate, Isabella, Regina, Bennett

Mascot: The Hawks

Game Highlights:

Basketball Commissioner, Steve Mueller set the stage as he announced the CYO 8th grade Girls Basketball championship beginning with team names.  He made the calls throughout the game giving the kids a sense of true championship and it was very special for all of the players.

Valley Catholic and St. Rose both had an enthusiastic start playing each other toe to toe in the first quarter. Valley Catholic made some fast break points immediately in the top of the second quarter and outscored St. Rose 12 to 2.

In the second half.  In the third quarter the scoring was balanced for both teams. The Valliant’s outdistanced the Hawks in the fourth quarter with a final score of 44 – 27.

Quarter 1: Valley Catholic 11, St. Rose 9

Quarter 2: Valley Catholic 23, St. Rose 13

Quarter 3: Valley Catholic 32, St. Rose 21

Quarter 4: Valley Catholic 44, St. Rose 27

CYO 7 Girls BXB Title Game Exciting


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 6th Grade Boys Crown a Winner


2023 CYO 6th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Andrew Nativity School

Coaches Clay Alexander

Players: Andre, Daniel Arthur, Caeden, Justin, Deandre, Shamar, Ramon, Keenan, Israel

Mascot:

Visiting Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: Clayton Lindsay (H), Andrew Ruginis (AS)

Players: Zachary, Parker, Carter, Luca, Jack, Charlie, Lucas

Mascot: Panthers

Game Highlights:

First half – The two teams stayed evenly matched throughout the first half with the score staying within 1 to 4 points of each other.

Second Half – St. Pius X garnered a considerable lead which St. Andrew Nativity worked hard to close, getting within 5 in the fourth quarter.  In the end, St. Pius X by 6 in a great game by both teams.

Quarter 1:  St. Pius X 10 – St. Andrew Nativity School 6

Quarter 2:  St. Pius X 20 – St. Andrew Nativity School 16

Quarter 3: St. Pius X 36 – St. Andrew Nativity 24

Quarter 4: St. Pius X 50 – St. Andrew Nativity School 43

CYO 5th Grade Boys Battle for the City Gold


2023 CYO 5th Grade Boys City Championship at Valley Catholic School

Home Team: St. Pius X

Coaches: J.D. Youngblood Larson (H), Christopher McCollister (AS)

Players: Christopher, Griffin, Easton, Max, Jace, Micah, Nicholas, Jake, Alexander, Jay, Avery

Mascot: Panthers

Visiting Team: St. Clare

Coaches: Steven Lodzinski (H), Michael Humm,(AS) Luke Leahy, (AS)

Players: Oscar, Desmond, River, Keagan, Ritwik, Amos, David, Maddox, Sam, Elliot

Mascot: The Dragons

Game Highlights:

A high scoring game with both teams sinking 3 pointers toward the end of the first half with the score vacillating until St. Pius X drilled the last basket of the half to go ahead by 3.  Amos for St. Clare hit three, three-pointers.

St. Clare broke open in the third quarter behind some three-point shooting including another by Amos to close out the period. St. Clare added 17 points to St. Pius X’s 6.

Both teams performed well in the fourth quarter but St. Clare outscored St. Pius X by one point with thirteen for the quarter.  The game was fun to watch and kept the fans on the edge of their seats!

Quarter 1: St. Clare 17 – St. Pius X 15

Quarter 2: St. Pius X 40 – St. Clare 37

Quarter 3: St. Clare 54 – St. Pius X 46

Quarter 4: St. Clare 67 – St. Pius X 58

CYO 8th Grade Boys City BXB a barnstormer to the end


SUNDAY March 13, 2022

8th GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL

CYO CHAMPIONSHIP

HOME TEAM: St. Pius X

COACH’S: Jabbar Craigswell, Kieran Fitzgerald

PLAYER FIRST NAMES: Justin, Brayden, Jacob, Emmett, Carter, Lucas, Jason, Aaron, Henry, Harper, Joe, Minh, Kellen

VISITING TEAM: All Saints

COACH’S: Chris Zervis, Damian Barron

PLAYER FIRST NAMES: Barron, Colin, Carson, Thomas, Matt, Noah, Ben, Nick

Q1: St. Pius X Jumped to an early lead as the quarter ended with a 12 – 9 score over All Saints.

Q2: All Saints showed their athletic power toward the end of the second quarter as they took the lead, got into their stride and used their height to grab the rebounds.  The half ended with All Saints 24 and St. Pius X 20.

Q3: A fun third quarter to watch as both teams turn up the power.  All Saints led till the last minute of play when both teams battled back and forth.  St. Pius X led at the end 37 to 34.  Some three-point shooting helped St. Pius X get back the lead.

Q4: With 5 minutes in the last quarter, St. Pius tied the game at 38 – 38 then goes ahead by one with a charity shot. Tensions flare with each foul.  Harper puts a three pointer away for a two-point lead.  All Saints answers with their own three pointer by Nick.  St. Pius and All Saints each add another three pointer and the crowd roars with delight!  Score tied 48 to 48 with 2 minutes left to play.

Clearly the best game of the tournament and certainly the most exciting City Tournament game.

A timeout is taken with 58 seconds left in the game and a tied game.  All Saints takes several shots and miss them all.  St. Pius X gets possession of the ball with 7 seconds left in the game.  All Saints fouls with 1.5 seconds left to play.  Number 25 to the charity line for two.  Sinks 1.  All Saints takes a time out. Pius X leads by one. Back to the foul line…Misses second shot and All Saints takes a time out with 1.2 seconds left in the game. All Saints takes out the ball and throws it the length of the court.  The receiver catches it and takes a shot overshooting the target but great try none-the-less.  A truly great City Championship game that kept the fans on the edge of their seat till the very end!

Final:  St.Pius X 49, All Saints 48