Three Archdiocesan Schools Claim State Hoops Championships

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Three Catholic high schools in the archdiocese—Cardinal Hayes, Msgr. Farrell and La Salle Academy—captured Catholic boys basketball state championships at Fordham University and are headed to the New York State Federation Tournament of Champions in Glens Falls on March 24-26.

Cardinal Hayes 64, Archbishop Molloy 62 – Cardinal Hayes won its first state title in 27 years on March 12 to earn a spot in a Class AA semifinal of the Federation Tournament of Champions.

“Victory is sweetest when you have known defeat,” Cardinal Hayes coach Joe Lods told CNY.

Tournament most valuable player Joe Toussaint led Cardinal Hayes, which has five players averaging double figures in scoring this season.

The Cardinals (21-8) will meet PSAL champion Lincoln (29-3) in a federation tournament semifinal at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 24, with the winner advancing to the championship game at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 25.

Msgr. Farrell 55, Chaminade 47 – Msgr. Farrell (21-6) looks to become the first Staten Island boys basketball program to win a Federation Tournament of Champions title after beating Chaminade for the A Division New York State CHSAA title.

The Lions play the PSAL champion in an 11 a.m. semifinal on Friday, March 24 in Glens Falls. The winner competes at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, for the federation title.

In the state Catholic school title game, Eric Klayman had 14 points and nine rebounds for Msgr. Farrell. Nick Igneri and Tom Granello scored 10 points apiece, and Steven Decarlo added nine points and four rebounds.

La Salle Academy 80, St. Mary’s 52 – After trailing by four points through one quarter and leading by five at halftime, La Salle used a 44-21 second-half surge to pull away to the B Division NYS CHSAA championship over St. Mary’s of Lancaster.

Sophomore Josiah Chandler scored a career-high 20 points for the Cardinals, who also received 14 points from Bryce Council and 13 points from James Bouknight. Isaiah Allen-Smith scored 12 points.

La Salle (25-2) meets the PSAL champion in a semifinal on Saturday, March 25 at 1 p.m. with the winner advancing to the championship matchup at 4 p.m. on March 26.

NYSPHSAA Tournament – Our Lady of Lourdes in Poughkeepsie advanced to the program’s first New York State Public High School Athletic Association state semifinal by beating Poughkeepsie, 61-46, at Pace University March 11.

The Warriors (19-6) oppose Suffolk County champion Southamton (21-3) in the Class A state semifinal on Saturday, March 18 at 10:45 a.m. in Binghamton. The winner plays the winner of the semifinal game between Irondequoit of Rochester and Jamesville-DeWitt of Syracuse for the state public school title at noon Sunday, March 19, in Binghamton.