Buzzer-Beater Lands St. Greg's CYO State Title

As the final seconds ticked off the clock during Sunday evening's CYO varsity state championship game, everyone in the gym knew a three-point shot floating through the air would decide the outcome.

The shot, by Joey Nannariello of St. Gregory's, dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded, completing a dramatic 37 - 36 come from behind victory for the Harrison-based CYO team over a powerful St. Augustine squad. Coaches, players and parents celebrated on the floor in a CYO version of March Madness.

But setting up the last second shot might have been just as difficult, and miraculous, as St. Augustine held the lead for almost the entire game. The Rockland County-based team was undefeated throughout the regular season and showed why, using a powerful front line and exceptional guard play to jump to an 18 - 3 early lead. 

But the second half was a different story, as St. Gregory's captured the momentum to close the gap to 34 - 30 with less than a minute remaining. James Wolf then hit a three-point basket to close the gap to one, Kyle Davidoff hit a free throw on the next possession to tie the game.

With ten seconds left St. Gregory's committed a foul, sending St. Augustine's Connor McGuinness to the free throw line where he calmly hit both shots giving his team the 36-34 lead, and setting up one final shot for St. Gregory's.

The battle-tested squad would make the most of it.

Michael Bronzo fought through a difficult press defense and dished the ball to Nannariello in the corner. The eight-grader hoisted the high-arcing shot that dropped through the net, giving St. Gregory's the victory.

St. Gregory's finished their season with only one loss and a handful of close wins. The team defeated Resurrection in the Westchester-Putnam Championship in triple overtime before defeating Rye in the state tournament. 

The team defeated several New York City teams in the downstate tournament to advance to the state championship game. It was a Cinderella year for St. Gregory's, which after six months of competition, was capped with a championship.

Follow Harrison Patch!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HarrisonPatch

Twitter: http://twitter.com/HarrisonPatch