Longtime St. Francis Prep boys’ and girls’ varsity tennis coach John Brennan died Feb. 24 after suffering a stroke while watching the St. John’s University men’s basketball game at Madison Square Garden.
Author: Jim Mancari
Holy Cross Hoopster on Literal Rocket Trajectory to MIT
Holy Cross High School girls’ varsity basketball player Mona Okorie is heading to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Diocesan CYO Inducts 7 New Members into Hall of Fame
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) of Brooklyn and Queens hosted its annual Hall of Fame induction dinner on Feb. 13 at The Rockaway Hotel in Rockaway Park. This year marked the eighth class of CYO Hall of Famers — taking the full total of those enshrined since the inaugural 2014 event to 86 members.
Diocesan Ties Run Deep for St. John’s Director of Athletics
In just a few short months, St. John’s University’s new vice president and director of athletics Ed Kull has truly experienced a storm of emotions … a Red Storm, that is.
Fontbonne Star Keeps Adding to All-Time Record Scoring Total
In the local diocesan girls’ varsity basketball scene, a handful of senior student-athletes recently reached the celebrated mark of 1,000 career points.
The Catholic School Roots of Football’s Iconic ‘Hail Mary’
Super Bowl LIX is upon us, and this year’s big game features the perennial powerhouse Kansas City Chiefs against the mighty Philadelphia Eagles.
Tom Konchalski’s Legacy a Lasting Influence on Future Generations
A few weeks ago, I released the Mount Rushmore of Brooklyn-Queens CHSAA basketball as selected by the league’s longtime coaches, administrators, officials, and superfans. Had I conceived the idea even five years ago, there would have been no question regarding who I would have contacted first — Tom Konchalski.
Former Knicks’ Fan-Favorite Starks Graces St. Kevin Court
Once again, the green and gold of the parish gymnasium at St. Kevin in Flushing turned into a sea of orange and blue … at least for one morning.
Journalist Covering Chiefs Historic NFL Run Has CYO Ties to Diocese
Pete Sweeney, a former Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) athlete and student at Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park, has covered the Chiefs since 2014, a tenure that has included Super Bowl victories in 2020, 2023, and 2024. Sweeney’s love of sports began in the CYO, where he played basketball and soccer at the parish.
Tradition Continues at Msgr. King Basketball Tournament
The holidays are all about traditions, and there’s nothing more traditional in the local boys’ high school hoops scene than the annual Msgr. King Memorial Basketball Tournament. The 54th annual tournament returned to the iconic green floor at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Flatlands, from Dec. 26-30.