Only two hours after winning their annual Friar Holiday Bash, the Friars hopped on the bus and returned to the Prep Slam for the fifth year in a row. The Prep Slam, one of the most prestigious and competitive prep school tournaments in the country, is held at Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Atlanta, Georgia. This year over 40 teams from prep schools all over the nation attended the tournament, making it more competitive than ever.
Last year the Friars took home the third place title, with Coach Walters hungry for more. “This year we have a new team and a new attitude, and we’ve come to win.” Walters describes this year’s tournament as a simulation of the New York State Championship in terms of its high level of competition. “How we win the Prep Slam, is going to be the same way we win the New York State Title.”
The Friars finished off the first day of the tournament in second place, one point behind St. Christopher’s School of Virginia, with five Friars headed straight for the semi-finals, and ten headed for the consolation rounds.
The second day of the tournament was a constant battle between the Friars, St. Christopher’s School and Brother Martin for first, second, and third, similarly to the second day of last year’s tournament. At the end of the day the Friars finished in third place with 192.5 points, Brother Martin in second and St. Christopher’s School in first.
Matt Savarese, a senior, and Preston Maucere a junior, both took home 1st place with freshman, Ty Lukens, taking 6th. Captains Justin Crawford, Nick Greer, and Maguire Horl took 2nd, 6th and 4th respectively. “Overall I’m very happy with the outcome.” said Coach Walters at the end of the tournament. “Our two champions worked their way into the finals, and all of our finalists, as well as the team, worked very hard this weekend. The thing we’re going to work on the most is learning to continue to push for more.”
So just hours after taking third at the Prep Slam, the Friars climbed back onto the bus and with one goal: win the NYSPHSAA Championships.
About The Author:
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Tori Walters Tori is a junior at St. Anthony’s high school, writing for her first year with Friar Scoreboard. She is a member of NHS, Math Honor Society, S.A.L.T, Friar Faithful, and Winter and Spring Track. |
