By Kevin Devlin
Plenty of CYO hoop action again last weekend at the McDonough gym which is located within the Walsh Community Center. Home games for the travel and house teams are played on Saturdays and Sundays. Here are some brief highlights of several games.
On Saturday, January 27, the Gate of Heaven CYO 3rd/4th grade travel team battled it out with their hoops peers from Saint Ann’s of Dorchester. Gatey took an early 16-4 lead and led by eleven at the half, 20-9. In the second half, unfortunately for the home team, the boys from Dorchester woke up and came roaring back to win the game, 40-30. For Gatey, star player Evan Pierce netted twenty-six points and Bobby Rehm finished with four points. For Saint Ann’s, their star guard, Brayden Buckley, scored fifteen points and had four steals, while James Neff and Nolan O’Sullivan contributed six points apiece.
Later that day, the Gatey CYO 9th grade travel team almost pulled off an upset, but fell short to Saint Ann’s of Dorchester, 40-39. With 4:48 left on the clock in the first half, Gatey took an early lead, 12-7. Saint Ann’s responded, stopped making costly turnovers, and took the lead at the break, 24-19. With 8:05 left in the game, Gatey took control of the game, and with 38 ticks remaining on the game clock, was on top, 37-36.
Led by the scoring prowess of Jake Harrison (twenty-one points /three treys) and Conor Strickland (seven points), combined with Tommy White attacking the offensive boards, it appeared as if Gatey would win this exciting game. But Saint Ann’s played it smart during the final seconds, forced Gatey to foul, went to the free throw line, and eked out a one-point victory away from their home court, the Murphy School Community Center gym For Saint Ann’s, Andrew Galvin scored ten points, Shea Flaherty had nine points and Mike Flynn contributed seven points in the hard-fought victory.
On Sunday, January 28, in Gatey cadet house league action, the P.S. Deli Club knocked off the first place, and previously unbeaten Jack McDonough Club, 50-44. The McDonough Club went on a 10-0 run midway through the first half to take the lead, 19-9. They continued to attack their opponent, and at the break led, 29-15. In the second half, minus several of their starters who had to leave for a travel CYO game, the McDonough Club couldn’t stop the P.S. Deli squad, and went home with their first loss of the season.
For Coach Mike Donovan’s team, Emmanuel “Manny” Disla was unstoppable as he netted twenty-eight points, including three three-pointers from downtown. Joey Maiullari, Jake Harrison, and Danny Mahoney had six, five, and four points respectively. For the McDonough Club, AJ Mansaray scored sixteen points, including four treys, Conor Strickland finished with nine points, while Zack Mitchell and Joey Brink had eight points apiece.
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CAPTION*** Pictured at the McDonough gym, is the Saint Ann’s of Dorchester 3rd/4th grade CYO basketball team, which is coached by former South Boston residents, Anthony LaMonica and Chris Neff.
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CAPTION*** Pictured at the McDonough gym, is the Gate of Heaven 3rd/4th grade CYO basketball team, which is coached by Paul Hogan.
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CAPTION*** Pictured resting after his CYO game last Saturday at the McDonough gym is Jake Harrison. Gatey fell short in their comeback bid against Saint Ann’s, but Jake had a terrific game, netting 21 points, in including three three-pointers from the corner.
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CAPTION*** Pictured at the McDonough gym is the first place Jack McDonough Club. This Gate of Heaven CYO cadet basketball house league team is coached by Bobby McGarrell and Kevin Cox.
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CAPTION*** Pictured at the McDonough gym is the P.S. Deli Club. This Gate of Heaven CYO cadet basketball house league team is coached by Michael Donovan. Also pictured is William “Butch” Heflin, a certified hoop referee.
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CAPTION*** Pictured after his game last Sunday at the McDonough gym is Emmanuel “Manny” Disla. Manny led his team to an exciting come from behind victory against the previously undefeated Jack McDonough Club. Manny finished the day with 28 points, including two three-pointers from the top of the key.
