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Archbishop Stepinac High School captured its second consecutive boys’ archdiocesan basketball championship with a 51-40 victory over Cardinal Hayes at Christ the King High School in Queens Feb. 26.
The Crusaders won the archdiocesan championship in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 CHSAA City AA championship tournament. The pandemic also canceled the 2021 archdiocesan and CHSAA City championship tournaments.
“Winning any championship is something you have to enjoy,” Stepinac coach Patrick Massaroni told CNY. “Our end goal is the city championship but we will enjoy this one.”
Stepinac, which won its 12th consecutive game, held Cardinal Hayes to two second-quarter points to take an 18-10 halftime lead, and led 32-27 after three quarters.
“I thought our guys prepared very well the last couple days and executed our gameplan,” Massaroni said. “Hayes is a very good team, talented and well coached. Proud of our guys.”
Boogie Fland finished with 15 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists for Stepinac (24-3 overall), which also received 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals from Isaiah Alexander. Danny Carbuccia contributed six points, five assists and two steals, and Samuel Gibbs had six points, six rebounds and three assists.
Joel Baez had six points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Ben Lyttle scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Crusaders.
Tobe Awaka and DJ Victory each scored 14 points for Cardinal Hayes (23-3 overall).
Related Story: https://www.cny.org/stories/fordham-prep-athletes-take-home-titles,23540?
