St. Joseph’s Celtics Score and Succeed

St Joseph’s CYO basketball opened the 2012-2013 season with 11 teams competing in the Union County CYO Youth Basketball League. 

St. Joseph’s CYO s made up of students in grades 2 to 12 who live in the Maplewood, South Orange and the surrounding area.

The St. Joseph’s Celtics Varsity 8th-graders rode a stifling second-half defense and the hot shooting of Zachary Chmiel to a 27-23 victory over St. Helen’s of Westfield in the team’s Union County CYO 2012-13 opener.

Chmiel scored 13 points, thanks to a variety of assists on the fast break from point guard C.J. Carey. Carey also found Thomas Fetner, who patrolled the paint for eight points. Sean Grafing dominated on the boards, corralling nine rebounds and anchoring the defense.

A second-half man-to-man press helped the Celtics force St. Helen’s into a variety of turnovers and rushed shots. Brian Etienne and Jack Kelly contributed to play tough defense on the guards while Thomas “Buzz” O’Connor and Nick D’Allessandro worked hard on the defensive glass.

St Joe's 3-4 grade Girls white team won their first game of the season on Sunday, Dec. 2nd beating Our Lady of Peace, of New Providence, 8-0.

Molly Gray had a solid performance under the basket sinking three shots for a total of 6 points and Meghan Durkin added another two points.

Lila Price and Annabel Callahan showed great ball skills as point guards. Grace Barry, Darcy Pearlman and Lily Ramos played strong defensively with several steals and blocked shots adding to the teams shut out. Returning only 7 players from last year’s team, the team welcomed new comers Claire D'Andrea and Sophia Noll who add strength and depth to this year's team.