St. Camillus 5th Grade Boys Bring the Championship Back After 50+ Years

The 5th-grade boys of St. Camillus delivered a season to remember, capturing the Brooklyn/Queens CYO Championship—the program’s first title since 1972. In a special year for the parish, the boys’ run came alongside a championship from the 7th-grade girls, making it a banner season for the St. Camillus community.

Led by first-year head coach George Hance Jr. and assistant coach Matt Boyland, the team played fast, unselfish basketball all season, finishing the regular season with just one loss by one point. They stayed hot in the playoffs, winning three straight to set up a championship showdown with longtime rival St. Adalbert’s.

The title game was a back-and-forth battle from tip to buzzer. Brian Feeney set the tone with nonstop hustle, while Connor Chavanne controlled the glass and finished inside. Hunter Long ran the show as the floor general, keeping the offense composed under pressure. PJ Murphy led all scorers with 19 points, stepping up in the clutch and knocking down free throws to seal the win.

It was a total team effort. DJ Fyall sparked the break with fast-break buckets, while John Hutton, Chris Allen, and Nathaniel Peña locked in defensively and on the boards to close it out. Emeka Nwajei and Kai’ree Grant contributed to the group’s success all season long with their effort and positive presence.

The boys also honored Coach Jack Palmese, a beloved figure who passed away during the season, by wearing warm-up shirts in his memory and carrying his spirit with them throughout the run.

From start to finish, this group played with heart, toughness, and togetherness—bringing a long-awaited championship back to St. Camillus.