Tom Konchalski Summer Classic All Star Games

The first postseason event of the 2025 St. Francis Summer Classic was held last Wednesday with the inaugural Tom Konchalski All Star Games. Tom was a well-known and well-loved High School Basketball talent evaluator who had a long relationship with the Summer Classic going back to its inception in 1985, until he passed in 2021, following a battle with prostate cancer. Tom had a very special relationship with CYO and the Catholic High School Athletic Association and was known for both his humility and his honest evaluations and insights and was enshrined in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 and the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. He was a devout Catholic who attended mass daily and stated, “Basketball has been my mistress, but my faith is my lawful wife.”

The Thomas C. Konchalski Foundation was established to carry on Tom’s legacy and foundation board member John Mullally approached Summer Classic Director Keith Goldberg to discuss creating an event tied to the Summer Classic and it was agreed that an evening of All-Star games for the summer classic players who will return to high school this year was the appropriate way to honor Tom.

On Wednesday, August 27, the evening began with a game for boys who will be in grades 9 and 10 this fall. The game was coached by Mike Clark and Ed Minson and the Red team won a thriller over Blue 55-54. Hugh Courtney was the high scorer for Red with 25 while Ty Duffy’s 14 led Blue. Other players were Jack O’Grady, Ciaran McBride, Jack Gallagher, Michael Clark, Paddy Palisi, Rafael Campos, Greg Brenna, Rob Giuseffi, Michael Pedone, Paul Pedone, Frank Di Mateo, Brendan Hayden, William Kelly, James Moriarty, Bryan McKinnon-Doyle, Jay Cipolla, Eddie Minson, and David Graves.

The girls game was coached by Caitlin Mullen and Allison Chavanne with Blue beating Red 65-59. Isabella Grimaldi poured in 33 for Blue, while Molly Trears led Red with 15. The game also included Summer Duffy, Kaitlyn Palmese, Jenna Faherty, Victoria Gatto, Kinley Hearn, Niamh Mullen, Maddie Sassone, Ava Lundon, Ashley Chavanne, Nora Miller, Lucy Kuhlmann, Riley Mitchell, Maeve Bartholomeo, Callie Mullin, Caroline Mullin, Maria Manousilakos, Reilly Devaney, and Taylor Sorrentino.

The final game of the evening was for boys in grades 11 and 12, coached by Bob Leckie and Dan Leary. Connor Hayden led Red to a 64-52 win as he scored 16. Travis Mitterway had a game high 21 for Blue. Pete Franchock, Tim Leahy, Travis Peterson, Thomas Healy, Craig Palisi, Matt McKnight, Jake Green, Daniel Milone, Aidan Maguire, Isaiah Tawil, Logan Wassenbergh, Luke Walsh Jon Pesso, Matt Belford, Michael McCann, and Justin Kaplan completed the rosters.

A small reception at Jamesons for the coaches and directors followed, with stories of Tom’s life recalled and exchanged and the success of the inaugural event celebrated. We look forward to the second annual Tom Konchalski Summer Classic All Star games in 2026.