By Kevin Devlin
On Sunday, March 4, at the McDonough gym, the P.S. Deli Club defeated the Jack McDonough Club, 44-40, to capture the Gate of Heaven CYO cadet house league basketball championship.
It was a hard-fought game throughout the entire 34 minutes of play, and when the final buzzer sounded, the P.S. Deli Club went home with championship bragging rights. For the McDonough Club, AJ Mansaray scored 17 points and Zack Mitchell had 15. For the P.S. Deli Club, Emmanuel “Manny” Disla (SBT’s MVP) netted 21 points, Damien Alvarez had 11 points and Jake Harrison contributed 9.
Coach Michael Donovan was happy his players eked out the nail-biting victory. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet that we won the championship,” said Coach Donovan. “But the greatest satisfaction I have is for the kids on the team. They are unselfish in the way they play the game of basketball. And, I hope they come away knowing that they played to the very best of their ability.
“That’s what I look for,” he concluded. “…not did we win or lose; but did everyone do their very best so that there aren’t any regrets no matter what the outcome. I couldn’t be happier, or prouder of such a group of fine, young boys.”
Pictured at the McDonough gym last Sunday is the P.S. Deli Club cadet house league hoop champions. Pictured from left to right are: Tommy White, Emmanuel Disla, Damien Alvarez, Jake Harrison, Joey Maiullari, Dermot Murray, and Coach Michael Donovan.
