Chalk up another championship season for the St. Gabriel’s boys CYO basketball team.
In 2019-20, the Gators won their second consecutive Diocese of Pittsburgh championship and their second state title in three years.
“This year’s team was more resilient than any team we’ve had in the last four years,” coach Ryan Dedes said. “Previous teams may have been more talented, had better shooters or been more aggressive defensively, but this team always found a way. Whether we were up big then let the lead evaporate or got down early, the guys found a way to get it done.”
All 13 team members are high school students at Baldwin.
The starting lineup consisted of Dom George, Hunter Pape, Remy Davic, Tarren Seitzinger and C.J. West.
Top reserves included Michael Pantelis, Jacob Lubawy, Scott Gault, Justin Schmitt, Michael Zemaitis, Danny Goldbach, Joey Duttine and Leo Beerman.
“We’ve had three completely different rosters during this three-year run,” said Dedes, who was assisted by Jim Diulus and Jason Simmons. “No player has been on all three teams. Dom George was the only returning player from last year’s team.
“And, honestly, I never know whether we will even field a team year to year. But with the success we’ve had, more and more kids are becoming interested. We are even receiving interest from freshmen.”
St. Gabriel’s started 8-0 before losing four of its last six regular-season games, ending up third in section play.
The Gators defeated North Section champion Sacred Heart in the diocesan finals to advance to the state tournament.
In the first round, St. Gabe’s defeated Diocese of Erie runner-up St.George, 49-41.
The Gators then beat St. Jude, the Diocese of Erie champion, 71-66, in overtime.
West hit a shot at the buzzer at the end of the fourth quarter to send the game into the extra period.
The Gators edged St. Joan of Arc, 47-44, in the state finals in what proved to be another overtime thriller.
The Gators rallied from a double-digit deficit at halftime as Pantelis and Lubawy combined for 19 second-half points to spark the comeback.
St. Gabriel’s never led at any point in the state semis or championship games until overtime.
The Gators finished 16-4 after posting a 25-1 mark last season.
“We try to curb any expectations going into the season, as our roster changes every year,” Dedes said. “However, our goals do not change: win the section, win the Diocese of Pittsburgh and win the state championship.
“Fortunately, we’ve been able to win two diocesan championships, two state championships and a third-place state finish in the four years we have been a part of the St. Gabriel CYO program.”
St. Gabriel’s CYO basketball season begins with open gyms in late October. In season, the team practices two or three nights per week based on gym availability.
“Would I like to see some of these kids play high school ball? Yes,” Dedes said. “But as kids become more involved with different sports and activities, CYO becomes a great alternative, to be able to play basketball without the commitment level.”
