St. Gregory's Boys Basketball Team Takes State CYO Championship

Rockland County has a new championship team.

Marcellus Earlington scored 20 points to lead the St. Gregory's 7th grade boys basketball team to a 47-43 win over St. John's of Mahopac in the Archdiocesan of New York CYO championship at St. Joseph's By The Sea High School in Staten Island on Saturday.

Earlington's scoring and rebound along with strong play from John Morina (nine points) and Evan Rivera helped St. Greg's of Garnerville hold off a late rally by St. John's. St. Greg's advanced to the championship game with five playoff victories including a 51-45 come-from-behind, overtime win over St. Augustine's of New City in the Rockland championship game at Albertus Magnus High School.

Jonah Lacey's 16 points and Clarck Goguette's 11 points and strong rebounding led the way. St. Gregory's trailed 24-17 at halftime but rallied back. Rivera also excelled for the winners.

In regional competition, St. Greg's posted two wins to reach the championship game. They defeated Orange County champion St. Stephen's of Warwick, 42-34, behind strong play by Goguette (17 points) and Jacob Garrison (eight points) and then registered a 45-24 win over St. Mary's of Marlboro thanks to effective play by Earlington (21 points), Garrison and Brian Madden.

St. Gregory's finished the season with an overall record of 36-4 and a 17-0 record in CYO competition. The team roster also included Brandon Bottoni and Nate Torres. Bill Madden was the head coach and was assisted by Frank Morina and David Garrison.

The Archdiocesan tournament includes teams from 10 counties - Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester, Putnam, Staten Island, Bronx, Manhattan, Dutchess and Ulster.