Summer Classic Champs Emerge

By Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg

It was a busy week at the St. Francis Summer Classic with the first three championship games since the Graybeards finals in July. The Boys and Girls Grammar Junior divisions, as well as the Second-Grade division also wrapped up their seasons.

The Boys High School championship was moved up from Friday to Wednesday with a bunch of players needing to leave for college. As the players were warming up, the rain came, and the game was delayed and moved inside. The game was close throughout with the lead constantly changing before Charles Munro hit two straight three pointers and Paul’s Bicycle Shop pulled out a 47-43 victory over Serenity Car Service. Pete Franchock scored 16 for Serenity. Logan Monahan with 10 led a balanced attack for coach Erik McManus’ squad and the champs also include Owen Conti, Sean McDonagh, Matt Shapiro, Justin Shapiro, Jimmy McMahon, James McMahon, Shane Fitzpatrick, Hal Matthews, and Gerard Tuchi.

Friday was championship night for the Boys Grammar divisions, and Wednesday’s rain also impacted them, as the semifinals were rescheduled including one Grammar Middle to 6:00 on Friday. Crustinos won that and then took the court again at 7 p.m. for the championship against Simply Strong Construction. Both teams battled but Simply Strong was fresher and held on for a 48-45 win. Sean McCann scored 15 for Crustinos and Adam Skrijels added 14. Sammy Plevritis led Simply Strong with 23, Jackson Strong added 15 and also wearing the Long Sleeve T’s for coach Rich Larkin are Thomas Anderson, Craig McDonald, Jonathan Mandala, Jake Stines, Richard Larkin, Mikey O’Neill, and Colton Shakir.

The Boys Grammar Senior championship completed the night and Kill, Wood, Ace, Mann & Delaney predictably ran out to a comfortable lead as Bungalow Bar was missing some key players. The boys in Green hung tough and rallied with RJ Puckhaber hitting a few threes from the left corner to bring them back, but in the end Jay Cipolla was the difference, scoring 25 to lead Kill, Wood to a 63-53 championship win. Cipolla was aided by Johnny Rae Roggencamp, Jackson Monahan, Timmy McDonough, John Cassidy, Mateo Garcia, Federico Loverde, and James Brennan for coach Eugene Brennan.

The 41st Summer Classic will come to a close tonight, Thursday, August 21, with championships for the Girls Grammar Senior division and the Tim Klein Men’s Open divisions. The Clare Droesch Women’s Open Championship was Tuesday night and Wednesday was Girls High School. Next Wednesday, August 27 will be the first Tom Konchalski Summer Classic All-Star games and the Clare Droesch 3 on 3 by the Sea is Friday August 29. See other articles on page 37 in this paper for more info.