The Catholic Athletic League (CAL) wrapped up its tournament with exciting match-ups at every venue last weekend.
At the end of the day, 16 champions were crowned and 8 of those will go on to compete in the New England Regional CYO tournament in Boston.
“What a great tournament this was,” said Jerry Dandeneau, CAL administrator, while attending Saturday’s games. “We have seen incredible match-ups and upsets all the way through. The stands are packed and the kids are competing at a very spirited level.
“Right now, without a doubt, on the court are several future high school All-State girls’ basketball players,” he continued. Dandeneau was referring to the hotly-contested rivalry between the St. Pius and St. Patrick girls. “This will be a crowd pleaser. Just like the last game,” where in a stunning upset, Holy Apostles turned back St. Luke. As champs of the A- Green Division, Holy Apostles will represent CAL at the New England Regionals.
Jerry Dandeneau knows his tournament, as the girls’ contest between St. Pat’s and St. Pius turned out to be, as he predicted; the nip-and-tuck game was indeed a nail-biter, as the girls fought hard and the lead changed like a metronome. Back and forth they went, the skill level outstanding. St. Pat’s Captain Vandell Andrade was ready. “We will work hard and play hard.” And they did, as did the St. Pius team led by center Christina Palarva. The game ended with St. Pius besting St. Pat’s 39-36.
Getting geared up for the next game was Coach P.J. Shea. He and his St. Teresa’s team were ready for the finals. “It has been a great tournament. The kids have worked so hard and my team is a very cohesive bunch. I feel good about today. We’ve come this far. I am really proud of the team effort.” He continued, “On their own, they made sure every player scored this season. They helped and encouraged each other. They are very unselfish.”
As the tourney wrapped up, the contests went on late into the afternoon as parents, friends, teachers, siblings, pastors and many others came out to encourage their favorite team. The competition was fierce but at the end of the day the sportsmanship was in fact the ultimate champ. As an unnamed parent quickly passed by on her way to her seat, said it all, “Aren’t these kids awesome?”
Teams representing the Diocese of Providence at the New England CYO Basketball Tournament:
• Parish Boys Grade 5-6: Holy Apostles, Cranston
• Parish Girls Grade 5-6: St. Joseph, Newport
• Grammar School Boys Grade 5-6: Good Shepherd Catholic School, Woonsocket
• Grammar School Boys Grade 5-6: Father John V. Doyle School, Coventry
• Parish Boys Grade 7-8: St. Philip, Greenville
• Girls Grade 7-8: St. Pius V, Providence
• Grammar School Boys Grade 7-8: Father John V. Doyle School, Coventry
• Grammar School Girls Grade 7-8: Father John V. Doyle School, Coventry
This year’s New England tournament will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Boston on April 4-6. The eight teams representing the Diocese of Providence will play against teams from dioceses across Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont. In the past teams from RI have done well at the tournament, last year there were three winners from RI.
And the winners are...
2008 CAL Diocesan Basketball Tournament Champions:
Parish Boys Red A1: St. Luke (4), Barrington
Parish Boys Red A2: St. Michael, Smithfield
Parish Boys Red Open: Holy Apostles, Cranston
School Boys Red A1: Mercymount Country Day School, Cumberland
School Boys Red A2: Good Shepherd Catholic School, Woonsocket
Parish Boys Blue A1: St. Kevin (2), Warwick
Parish Boys Blue A2: St. Brendan, Riverside
Parish Boys Blue Open: St. Philip, Greenville
School Boys Blue A1: Bishop McVinney Reg. School, Providence
School Boys Blue A2: St. Peter School, Warwick
School Boys Blue Open: Father John V. Doyle School, Coventry
Parish Boys Green A1: St. Luke (1), Barrington
Parish Boys Green A2: Holy Apostles, Cranston
Parish Girls Red A1: St. Joan of Arc, Cumberland
Parish Girls Red A2: St. Joseph, Newport
School Girls Red A1: Woodlawn Catholic Reg. School, Pawtucket
School Girls Red Open: Father John V. Doyle School, Coventry
Parish Girls Blue A1: St. Cecilia (2), Pawtucket
Parish Girls Blue A2: St. Pius V, Providence
School Girls Blue A1: St. Paul, Cranston
School Girls Blue A2: St. Joseph School, West Warwick
School Girls Blue Open: Father John V. Doyle School, Coventry
