By Joseph Staszewski
St. Francis Prep proved something to itself as it has gone about proving everyone else wrong.
The Terriers had struggled mightily in the CHSAA’s Class AA division in recent years and again weren’t considered among the city’s elite teams when this season began.
That has quickly changed.
St. Francis Prep got off to a 6-0 start, including five league wins after collecting just two CHSAA victories last season. It then stood toe-to-toe with last season’s city runner-up, Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn, before falling 79-65 Dec. 17. SFP led 40-37 early in the third quarter and trailed just 69-63 with 3:43 remaining in the game.
The performance illustrated that the Terriers can play with the league’s elite teams for the first time since 2007 when Division I recruit Mike Cavataio was suiting up in Fresh Meadows.
“It’s there,” legendary St. Francis Prep Coach Tim Leary said. “As long as we don’t get injuries, we are going to compete.”
His team already owns wins over defending archdiocesan champion St. Raymond and a good Iona Prep squad. Leary said this group spent more time than usual playing in preseason leagues and working out together this summer. They have done whatever has been asked of them since the second half of last season. Now it’s starting to pay off.
“They like basketball and they have bought in pretty much with what we are trying to do,” Leary said.
What that means is playing hard and unselfishly and using their quickness to their advantage. The Terriers were able to press a Lions team that thrives in transition and still use it to their advantage.
Guard Michael Fields can be a blur, Shane Herrity is as tough as they come and Connor Bacci can provide outside shooting. Forwards Jordan Santiago, a junior varsity call-up, and Brian Haggerty are long, athletic and a tough cover for bigger players. Herrity and Haggerty had 19 points apiece against Loughlin and Fields added 17.
“Our team isn’t the biggest in the league,” Herrity said. “We are dependent on guard play. Our guards are quick and our forwards are quick. We just try to use that to help us.”
Haggerty has been a pleasant surprise after dedicating himself to the sport more. He provides the Terriers with a presence inside they lacked a year ago.
“He’s developed unbelievably from last year,” Leary said.
So has this veteran group that now finds itself in position to be among the CHSAA’s best teams. The early success has caused the Terriers to be viewed much differently even in the school itself than in years past.
“Our confidence is way up right now, especially around the school,” Herrity said. “Basketball at the Prep the last few years hasn’t been that good. It’s a good feeling to win.”
