A 3 on 3 for Memories of Clare

By Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg

The 12th Annual Clare Droesch 3 on 3 by the Sea was once again held at St. Francis de Sales Fr. Grogan Memorial Schoolyard this past Friday, August 29. Over 500 players on a record 116 teams competed in fantastic 3 on 3 basketball while honoring the memory of Clare Droesch. It has now been seven years since Clare passed in her courageous battle with breast cancer, following a standout All-American career as a player at St. Francis, 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 or three 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, a basketball demonstration by Black Jack Ryan, music from Matt Finley of Rockawave DJ’s, 50/50s 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 lots of food and beverages, live musical entertainment from Billy Fleming, raffle winners drawn, and everyone toasting the great day as we remembered Clare.

These are the 2025 champions:

Boys

2nd grade   Rockaway Ballers

3rd grade    Ballin’ Bros

4th grade   Rockaway Beach Elite

5th grade   The Big Three

6th grade   Ankle Breakers

7th grade St Bernard, Cheeseburgers, Crate Boys

8th grade    Birthday Buckets

9th grade    Storm

10th-11th    Naz Reid

Girls

3rd grade    Slay All Day

4th grade    Beach Ballers

5th grade    Beach Ballers

6th grade    Long Island Hoopers

7th grade    Rockaway Hoopers

8th grade    St. John’s

9th grade    Team Takeover

10th-12th    Pink Lemonade

Open           Crushies

Photos by Bryanne Flaherty and Katie McFadden.