Crowning achievement

Tony Grimm approached this season like any other: with reasonable expectations of continuing success. It is safe to say St. Francis Prep exceeded those hopes. The Terriers won their sixth straight boys handball city championship, going undefeated in the process for the first time in his six years as coach. In fact, they lost just two games within their 17 matches, going 73-2.
“It’s like a dream,” Grimm said. “I don’t know if I even dreamt we would have a season this strong. It was exciting and encouraging to see these young players achieve what they were able to accomplish.”
After graduating just one starter, Grimm had to like the group he returned. He felt even better when he put together his new all-senior first doubles team of Danny Torres and Jon Sese - “the best doubles team we’ve ever had,” Grimm said - prior to the season. First singles Mike Murphy, second singles Anil Jethanandani, and James Ham, the Terriers’ three captains, and their second doubles team of Wilson Lin and Bob Ni, joined them to form a dynamic unit. Lin and integral substitute Mike Berardi are sophomores expected to carry on the legacy next spring. Adding to their accomplishments, in the league’s All-Star game, first singles Mike Murphy won the singles competition and Jethanandani and Torres won the doubles draw.
Another key to the team’s success, Grimm made sure to note, is the contribution made by assistant coach Billy O’Donnell, a former player who graduated in 2005.
“He shares his love of the game with them, the knowledge and he’s good with the players; they look up to him because they’re only a few years apart,” Grimm said. “They know his track record, he’s just an amazing addition to the team.”
St. Francis’s run of success may not end soon, either. Despite graduating five starters, Grimm will promote many players from the robust jayvee program that enjoyed a perfect season - for the third straight year - and won their fifth consecutive city championship.
“We’re hopeful,” he said. “These guys are showing they’ve got what it takes to be able to compete on this level. They have demonstrated a love for the game, a willingness to work hard, and they enjoy the game. It makes it easier to coach when you have guys like that.”