Varsity Boys Basketball Successfully Defends Title

The St. Joseph School Boys Varsity Basketball Team (Grades 7 & 8) successfully defended their Route 395 Tournament Championship title this past weekend at the Annual Route 395 Cheer & Basketball Tournament held at Killingly High School.  Led by 8^th Grade student, Peter Barbale, the St. Joseph Eagles defeated the Celtics of St. Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich, CT by a score of 53-47.  Barbale scored a season and career high 37 points – making 8 three-point shots.  Other notable contributions were from 8^th Grade students Daniel Gronek (12pts.) and Matthew Krysinski (3 pts.), as well as 7^th Grade students Dale Boudreau and Dominik Gielarowiec, who rounded out the starting line-up.

The team finished the regular season with an 8-2 record and was awarded 2^nd place in Route 395 League play.  They also finished with a 1-1 regular season record against St Pat’s, so the Eagles were determined to finish the season strong and retain their tournament title.  Playing a 1-3-1 defensive scheme and maintaining the lead for most of the game, the team did just that.  After the final buzzer, Head Coach Buzz Krysinski said he couldn’t have been prouder of this group of young men.  “It was a team effort.  Peter (Barbale) picked the right game to have a career night.  Daniel (Gronek) took advantage of his shot attempts around the basket.  Matt (Krysinski) worked hard the entire game defensively, got key rebounds, and hit 3 free throws at the end to put the game out of reach.”  Noting that this was his final game as the Varsity Boys Coach, Coach Buzz reflected on his time with the team.  “It’s been an awesome three years watching the kids develop into the team they are now. They’re really such a great group!”  It was also the final game for Assistant Coach, David Barbale who celebrated the tournament win and noted that it was an outstanding team effort to beat the #1 seed, St. Patrick.

Members of the 2019-2020 St. Joseph School Boys Varsity Basketball Team include 8^th Grade Students Peter Barbale, Daniel Gronek, Matthew Krysinski, Kai Lukasek, and Adrian Sobczak.  7^th Grade Students include Dale Boudreau, Dominik Duby, Dominik Gielarowiec and Krystian Kowalczyk.  Following the game, Eighth Grade students, Daniel Gronek and Matthew Krysinski were named MVPs for the 2019-2020 Season.  Congratulations, Eagles!