As part of its annual winter tradition, Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, hosted the 37th Brother Arnold Memorial Basketball Tournament Dec. 7-8. It was quite the successful weekend for the host Crusaders.
Msgr. McClancy’s varsity girls’ team – competing in the preseason tournament for the second time – defeated North Babylon H.S., L.I., to earn the title.
Capping off the Crusaders’ sweep, the school’s varsity boys’ team beat Salesian H.S., New Rochelle, N.Y., in the tournament championships.
The tournament honors the memory of Brother Arnold Bakutis, S.C., a former athletic director and physical education chairman as well as a teacher at Msgr. McClancy who was instrumental in the development of the school’s athletics program.
Sadly, Brother Arnold died of a heart attack while jogging on the school track on May 22, 1980, at the age of 55. To honor him, former Crusaders varsity boys’ head basketball coach Don Kent started the tournament 37 years ago.
The Knights of Columbus Flatbush Council No. 497 is sponsoring a free throw shooting competition for boys and girls ages 9-14 on Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas gymnasium, Flatlands.
Since 1972, councils have sponsored Knights of Columbus free throw championships for boys and girls as a way to encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition.
Competitors have the opportunity to progress from the local level to district, regional and state competitions.
For more information or to register for the free event, contact free throw championship chairman Pat Steffens at 718-645-3355.