“When you mention Catholic high school basketball, you mention the Stith brothers,” said Don Kent, Msgr. McClancy M.H.S., East Elmhurst, head basketball coach.
On June 2, St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, standout Sam Stith led a class of six new inductees into the CHSAA Hall of Fame at the 26th annual Golf and Hall of Fame dinner held at the Brynwood Country Club, Armonk.
Stith joins the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Joe Paterno, Joe Torre and 215 others in receiving the prestigious honor. But more importantly, Stith is now enshrined with his late younger brother, Tom, in the Hall of Fame.

“This is just an incredible tradition that’s been going on for 26 years,” said Ray Nash, Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope, president and CHSAA president. “We get the opportunity to honor the people who are the heart and soul of the CHSAA.”
The evening’s ceremonies were preceded by a beautiful day of golf on a challenging course. Each hole was sponsored by individuals or groups connected to the CHSAA, and the proceeds benefit the Msgr. Matthew Peters-Bernard Gallagher Scholarship Fund. This scholarship serves the purpose of providing a college education for a deserving high school graduate in honor of the CHSAA’s late presidents.
Over 275 players, coaches, officials, administrators and family members were on hand to honor the people who have made the CHSAA what it is today. The event was a great way for athletes of all ages to reminisce about their old playing days.
Though all the inductees rightfully deserved the honor, Stith’s induction came long overdue. He was the first African American to play varsity basketball at St. Francis Prep and, paired with Tom, were unstoppable forces in the Catholic league.
Born in Greenville County, Va., the Stith brothers were raised in Harlem by their sisters, Eva and Virginia, after losing their parents at a young age. Though they weren’t Catholic, both were offered scholarships to play at the Prep.
Stith Brothers Set The Tone
Sam Stith compiled a 66-1 career record in high school, including back-to-back city championship victories in 1955 and 1956. The Stith brothers even captured two national Catholic high school championships during their tenure.
“We set the tone to bring African Americans into the spotlight of Catholic high school basketball,” said Stith.
The brothers became the first African Americans to attend St. Bonaventure University to continue their studies in a Franciscan environment. The Stiths were so inspired by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi that they converted to Catholicism.
At St. Bonaventure, the Stiths led the team to three NIT Tournament appearances. The two are enshrined in St. Bonaventure’s Hall of Fame, as well as St. Francis Prep’s.
Throughout their career, the Stiths valued their education and served their community in order to please their sisters, who did a fine job raising the young men. Eva and Virginia inspired Sam and Tom to cherish the opportunity they had been given.
“We made a commitment that we wanted them [Eva and Virginia] to be proud of us, and they were proud of us,” said Stith.
Sam was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals (currently Sacramento Kings) in 1960 and played the 1961-62 season in the NBA for the New York Knicks.
Tom passed away last June at the age of 71. The connection these brothers had on and off the court allowed them to flourish in a time where racial equality was far from the norm.
“My brother and I were one,” said Stith.
Additional Inductees
In addition to Stith, five other gentlemen were inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame:
• Cardinal Hayes H.S., the Bronx, longtime official Kevin Donohue joins his brother, Hugh, in the Hall of Fame.
• Former St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer, Joe Mazzella, starred at the Mount St. Michael Academy, the Bronx, and is also a veteran referee.
• Dave Daly has been coaching track at Kellenberg M.H.S., Uniondale, for the past decade.
• As the Msgr. Farrell H.S., Staten Island, golf coach, Brother Henry Wright, C.F.C., is the school’s first CHSAA inductee.
• Jerry Cahill pole-vaulted at Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge, and has coached at Iona Prep, New Rochelle.
Stith and his fellow inductees will forever be part of the lore of the CHSAA.
Astoria’s Red Storm Wins ‘A’ Baseball City Championship

The St. John’s Prep, Astoria, varsity baseball team captured its third ‘A’ Division city championship in four years after defeating Msgr. Scanlan H.S., the Bronx, 7-5 at St. John’s University’s Kaiser Stadium, Jamaica, on June 2.
The Red Storm battled back from a one-run deficit by adding four runs in the top of the seventh inning on RBI base hits by Alex Gounaris and Edwin Vidal. Reliever Paul Perez quelled top-seeded Scanlan’s late rally to hang onto the victory.