10th Annual 3 on 3 in the Books

By Keith ‘Bugsy’ Goldberg

The 10th Annual Clare Droesch 3 on 3 by the Sea was delayed a week due to rain on August 25, but was rewarded with one of the most beautiful days of the summer at the St. Francis de Sales courts on Friday, September 1.

 Approximately 500 players on more than 100 teams competed in fantastic 3 on 3 basketball while honoring the memory of Clare Droesch. It has now been five years since Clare succumbed in her courageous battle with breast cancer, following a standout All-American career as a player at St. Francis de Sales, Christ the King, and Boston College, and a coaching career that took her to Vanderbilt, St. John’s, Scholars’ Academy, St. Edmund’s, and finally back to Christ the King.

Teams were broken into groups of three, four or five teams depending on how many teams entered in each age group. Pool play consisted of either two or three games. In age groups with only one section, the top two teams in pool play faced each other for the championship. In ages with two sections, the top team in each section battled for the championship. Additional consolation games were scheduled for teams that did not advance to the championship, particularly if pool play for their group consisted of two games.

Play was scheduled across four sessions, beginning in the morning with the youngest age groups, and ending in the late afternoon with the High School and Open divisions. The event included merchandise sales, 50/50’s and other special raffles to raise money for the Clare Droesch Foundation which supports scholarships at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, Christ the King High School, and Boston College as well as providing assistance to families in need who are dealing with cancer. The Clare Droesch Foundation is administered by The Graybeards. A post event celebration was held at Callie’s with the raffle winners drawn there and everyone toasting the great day as we remembered Clare.

These are the 2023 champions:

Boys

3rd grade    Ballers

4th grade    Yo-Yo’s

5th grade    St Bernard’s

6th grade    # 15

7th grade    Alley Oops

8th grade    Rock Park

9th-10th    Rockaway Nadians

11th-12th    Must Be the Money

Open        TK’s Boys

Girls

3rd grade    Beach Basketball

4th grade    Sand Dunkers

5h grade    Team Crate

6th grade    Rockaway Bears

7th grade    Clare’s Bears

8th grade    Team Bart

9th grade    M.O.E.

11th-12th    Hoops There It Is

Open        Crushies

Photos by Katie McFadden and Samantha Cintron.