Summer Classic Gets Underway
By Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg
The 2024 St. Francis de Sales Summer Classic Basketball League began this past week with initial games in the Tim Klein Mens Open Leagues.
In Division 1, defending champions JG Electric got off to a quick start with wins over Harbor Light and Cabana. Kennedy’s and Callie’s also went 2-0 on opening week. Jamesons and A&S at the Harbor split their two games while Rockaway Beach Local, Cabana, and Harbor Light each dropped two.
Servpro made their debut in Division 2 with two wins as did Team Crate and a reconstituted LUV Cleaning (formerly Ocean Vibes). Boarders Surf Shop and Conte Carpets went 1-1 while Coastal Real Estate, Simple Tackle, and Tap That seek their first win.
Men’s Open play continued this week with games on Tuesday and Thursday and games will continue on Thursday evenings after this week. The Graybeards divisions have been ongoing since late April and are quickly approaching their playoffs.
The Summer Classic begins in full force on Monday June 24. The Boys Grammar Junior division will play on Mondays at 5:45 p.m. on Courts 1, 2, 3 and 4. The Girls Grammar Junior division uses the same slots on Tuesdays. Boys Grammar Middle will play on Courts 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Mondays. Girls Grammar Senior uses the same slots on Tuesdays. Boys High School plays on Courts 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Boys Grammar Senior uses Tuesdays on 1 and 2 and Wednesdays on Court 3 at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
The renovation of St. Francis de Sales Church has resulted in the adjustment in play for the Clare Droesch Women’s Open league, the Girls High School league and the co-ed second-grade league. Women’s Open will be at St. Camillus Springman Hall on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and the Girls High School will be at Springman on Wednesdays. The second-grade league will move outside at St. Francis on Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.
The 2024 season is the 40th for the Summer Classic and there will be a special event on Saturday, July 20 at The Rockaway Hotel to celebrate this milestone. Please look for separate articles each week regarding the event and chronicling the history of the Summer Classic.