Im fortunate to coach a really good team great kids that want to be good.They represent Roman very well, so Im excited to be able to coach a group like this.. The second team was led by Greer, Hart and Lundy as well as highly ranked freshman in Justice Williams and 6-foot-10 big man Jalen Duren, both of whom are now at Montverde Academy (Fla.). Its not going away.. Playing and developing under Killings and former Penn State head coach Pat Chambers, Griffin was an integral part of the Terriers 2011 America East Conference Tournament Championship as a junior and helped the team advance to the NCAA Tournament against No. [1] Early life and college [ edit] (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL), Fortunately, Matt Griffin had a great team that he left, McNesby said. Both McNesby and Griffin have won two Philadelphia Catholic League titles in their time at the helm, but Roman has finished as the runner-up the last two seasons. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/nyregion/connecticut-high-school-girls-basketball-coach.html. How does it impact our student-athletes?. His first Philadelphia Catholic League title consisted of Seth Lundy (Penn State), Hakim Hart (Maryland), Allen Betrand (Rhode Island) and Lynn Greer III, who is headed to Dayton. McKee recalled how North Catholic created an internship program to save the school, but it was sold before it could be enacted. Philadelphia High School Basketball Coaches' All-Catholic Teams (1970-2022) Return to TedSilary.com Home Page & Co. McNesby stepped aside in May 2016. While off-court concerns about the PCL remain, the league had a banner year in many respects. Catholic and Haverford High product Doherty makes D1 leap to Drexel, Maryland transfer, Roman product Hakim Hart heading to Villanova, 2023 Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest: Day Two Standouts (April 29), 2023 Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest Notebook (Pt. Following that magic run led by future Penn State standouts. When Matt stepped away, it immediately popped into my head, man, could I make this work? he said. Roman Catholics Xzayvier Brown leads the Cahillites back to a Catholic League championship game, California residents do not sell my data request. NAME: 12: Carl Arrigale . ), Khalil Farmer (above) and Roman Catholic are searching for a PCL title after falling one game short last year. 2 Roman 76, Cardinal O'Hara 52 No. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. While all the players McNesby coached have been out of high school at least a couple years, hes still got plenty of familiarity with the current state of the Cahillites program. [1] [2] Coaching career After playing for the Hawks from 1974 to 1978, Griffin returned as an assistant coach in 1980, staying for two seasons before taking the head coaching job at Siena. To move forward, Roman Catholic went back. John Griffin (May 17, 1956) is an American former college basketball player and coach at Saint Joseph's and Siena. McNesby is a graduate of Roman Catholic, class of 1995, and played for the basketball team as a student. The dad told his son that he needed it by himself. Farmer followed with 18.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Brown averaged 10.1 points and a team-high 6.9 assists and 2.8 steals. Tribute Page. The basketball facilities at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia are modest. We talk about making memories and positive experiences. By Rich Flanagan - Photos: Kathy Leister & Mike Nance, 03/24/21, 9:30AM EDT. They were walking around the soccer field., READ MORE: Gillespie and Samuels returning to Villanova. Jason Shea, the head coach of the boys basketball team at Notre Dame High School in West Haven, where Mr. Kirck had previously worked, defended him Tuesday on Twitter. But champions are always remembered., READ MORE: Roman Catholics Xzayvier Brown leads the Cahillites back to a Catholic League championship game. Previously, Griffin was the head coach at Roman Catholic High School from 2016-2021. His brother, John Griffin Jr., is the associate head coach of the Hawks. But Griffin still wasnt sure about full-time coaching. A night before the final interview, athletic director Ed Bubby DiCamillo called to tell him that the other finalist had accepted the Archbishop Carroll job. Well thanks to Andre Noble (Imhotep Head Coach) and John Mosco (Archbishop Wood Head Coach) hoop heads, sportswriters and, most importantly, High Major D1 college basketball coaches will get to see the best possible matchup. Its been an easy transition, Killings said of the new floor under Griffins feet. Roman Catholic head coach Chris McNesby is a former player at the school. 1) (April 28), 2023 Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest Day 1 Standouts (April 28), GUAA/Live at the Nook Notebook (Pt. Theres always a new challenge to meet or a talented guard to coach or a kid he just wants to see graduate. One of the reasons for the strong support of the PCL is simple. 8 Archbishop Carroll 66, No. But the Roman name probably means even more. The coach stuck to his principles. He and his wife had three children under the age of 10, and the grind that is being a top-level coach in the Philadelphia Catholic League isnt one that ever really lets up. And while the ability of Sacred Heart players is undeniable, the newspaper wrote, the game needs to serve as an example for adults and students alike that winning isnt everything.. PHILADELPHIA As he drove the team bus back toRoman Catholicin the late hours on Monday night, a lot was going throughMatt Griffinsmind. Story Links Saint Joseph's Head Coach Billy Lange has announced that Xzayvier Brown (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic), Anthony Finkley (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) and Shawn Simmons, Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa./Hillcrest Prep) have signed national letters of intent to attend Saint Joseph's University in the fall of 2023. If the team can make strides on the defensive end throughout the season, the Cahillites will certainly be a PCL contender. We are grateful for some of the people that we have partnerships with within the [South] [Philadelphia] community.. Anyone can read what you share. McKee, more than most, appreciates how the PCL builds long-term relationships and views those traditions as worth fighting for. First step was a consultation with his wife, Lisa, herself a state championship coach, of cheerleading at St. Huberts. "We are pleased to announce the 2023 recruiting class here on Hawk Hill. You had to have difficult discussions., READ MORE: Drexel's T.J. Bickerstaff enters transfer portal. (Photo courtesy Roman Catholic High School) Josh Verlin ( @jmverlin) -- Don't let the resum fool you. But Can It Continue? Beatty Taylor, now one of Arrigales assistants, pleaded with the coach to play Cunningham. Im feeling recharged and ready to go.. His father, John Griffin Sr., played at Roman Catholic and was the head coach at St. Josephs University from 1990-95. or travel where you may be coached by noncertified people, he said. A little thing, Griffin said. Boys HS Among the supporting cast around Skillings, Farmer and Brown will be senior forward, , son of former Roman standout and NBA big man. In 2018, Griffin was named USA TODAY Coach of the Year in the state of Pennsylvania. The Cahillites were coached by Dennis Seddon throughout this period of dominance. Its been discussed here that things at Roman are going really well, Griffin said. Asked if he thought more closures could be on the horizon, McKee said: Unfortunately, thats a possibility.. In five years, his overall record was 96-29. However, Roman feels that McNesby can help them avoid skipping a beat due to his experience. McNesby will still have plenty of familiar faces around him, including Tom McKenna (behind, with glasses). get out of your glass houses & move on.. Dennis Seddon coached basketball at Roman Catholic for 22 seasons (1987-2008), winning 516 games and 10 Catholic League championships. As he moves onto his next endeavor, Griffin was able to reflect on the success he had at Roman Catholic and what coaching has always meant for him. As theyve gotten older, he explained, theyve focused on certain activities and that doesnt always mean they need him around: I dont think they want the dad-coach anymore, McNesby said with a laugh. On 3/20, the Neumann-Goretti varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against Allentown Central Catholic (Allentown, PA) by a score of 67-49. Mater Dei High School is a private, Catholic, co-educational secondary school in Santa Ana, California.It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.Mater Dei is known for its strong sports programs, especially in football, and for its multiple graduates who have won the Heisman Trophy. And South Philadelphia has treated him just fine. In his five-year tenure, Griffin won onePIAA 6A State Championship (onerun was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and one did not take place for the same reason). His mom worked two jobs to keep his dream alive. I think hopefully we're a tough out." Roman Catholic senior Xzayvier Brown, above, and teammate Anthony Finkley are both headed to St. Joe's next season. As he transitions out of the program and school, he will not be in charge of any type of hiring for my position and wont have much say in who takes over for me., He informed his players of his decision on Tuesday as they wrapped up the season and got together one last time. Tools William "Speedy" Morris (born April 26, 1942) is an American basketball coach. Schools 84 likes, 7 comments - Bahamas Press (@bahamaspress) on Instagram: "Statement From Hon. Coach Speedy Morris '60 was the coach of the East Team at The Spectrum in 1978. Neumann-Goretti won 20 games because of its talented roster and coaching. Mr. Kirck, 47, did not immediately respond to phone and email messages on Thursday. With an enthusiastic and passionate group of coaches . Following that magic run led by future Penn State standouts Lamar Stevens, Tony Carr & Co. McNesby stepped aside in May 2016. Deep down, I do love it.. Are we making more money than were spending?. If Coach Killings gets a job, Im going, wherever it is., The No. Prior success or not, McNesby was going to have some competition. Here are five people you [continue reading], AndyGerman is about to begin his first season as the head coach of St. Josephs Preps lacrosse team. 1) (April 28), 2023 Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest Day 1 Standouts (April 28), Plymouth Whitemarsh Spring League Notebook (Thurs., April 27), Jay Ems Northeast Basketball League (NEBL) 2023 Schedule, GUAA/Live at the Nook Notebook (Pt. Roman then lost the Catholic League title game each of the next two seasons against Neumann-Goretti and Archbishop Wood, respectively. Now, McNesby and his team are aiming to pick up 2021-2022 where the coach left off his last time: on top of the PCL. Having them around is great, McNesby said It makes you feel good because maybe in some way theyve really enjoyed the experience of Roman and playing for me at Roman, so as a coach you feel a little proud about that.. Cantrell Fletcher one of the leagues best players tore an ACL at the start of the quarterfinals and his backup freshman Tabby Cunningham had skipped practice the day before, resulting in a benching. Roman Catholic's Xzavier Brown '23 has emerged as the finest pure point guard in the Greater Philadelphia region . Joseph Bongard, expressing his interest in getting in the mix. 7 Cardinal O'Hara 69, No. Leading the Roman roster is star two-way senior forward Daniel Skillings Jr., who has committed to Cincinnati; a pure scorer in Farmer, who has offers from a number of schools including Drexel, Albany and Fairfield; and junior point guard Xzayvier Brown, who has offers from Marquette, Fordham, VCU, St. Joes and more. It raises a red flag, Mr. Carbone said on Thursday of the score. So that was huge.. The potential income of this program was supposed to keep North Catholic open for another five years. I had zero wins and losses to my name.. Irving, the former Archbishop Carroll standout who would later join Griffins staff at Roman Catholic. Roman won back-to-back Catholic League and PIAA state titles in 2015 and 2016 under McNesby led by current NBA wing. He probably wouldnt look at it like this, but, given the trust he has for his new boss, Griffin might have less pressure with this latest move. Matt Griffin (above) takes over as Roman Catholic's head coach 42 years after his father graduated from the school. Roman Catholic vs. Neumann Goretti sets up familiar championship matchup for Catholic League title. Jackson, as a younger player, wont be relied on too heavily, but the 6-foot-6 ninth grader should contribute on the defensive end and the glass at points this season at the least. I truly believe that the experience we have Roman Catholic prepares them for the next level.. Maybe he could just go to a game at the Palestra and watch as a fan or have something else to talk about than basketball when he runs into old friends down the Shore. The reality is the land some of these schools are on, the [Philadelphia] Archdiocese can probably profit greatly from that, said Mike McKee, the mens basketball coach at La Salle College High School, speaking about the closures. I felt like it was real, Griffin said. We talk a lot but he officially reached out when the word got out that he was going to be named the new head coach at the University of Albany., Griffin will step down as Roman Catholics head coach and athletic director, effective April 1, and become an assistant on Killings staff at Albany. JuniorJhamir Martinis also a returning starter as is 6-7 juniorMatija Radunovic. As the only Roman players to have started all 12 games last year, the trio will carry most of the load on the court for the Cahillites and will also be expected to handle many of the leadership responsibilities. McNesby will still have plenty of familiar faces around him, including Tom McKenna (behind, with glasses). Now the coach of Sacred Heart, a Roman Catholic high school for girls in Hamden, Conn., near New Haven, has been suspended for one game by the schools administration, which apologized for the manner in which the outcome of the game was achieved on Monday night. We trust him. Read more Lou Rabito / File Photograph by Mike Jensen | Columnist What's next . Also. "It's hard to describe," said Griffin, a 2007 St. Joseph's Prep alum, former first-team All-Catholic, and team captain at Boston University. There is nothing like it.. Stats are entered by the coach or designated team statistician in the admin. Arrigale looks to finish his 25th Catholic League season with a win in Monday's championship vs. Roman. A Roman alum, McNesby went 168-55 (.753) overall and 90-16 (.849) in the Catholic League in the eight years that followed, winning back-to-back Catholic League and PIAA state championships in both 2015 and 16. Forget all the expectations about winning; the most important thing of why I got into coaching is to make a difference. Every time he thinks hes out, the guy from South Philly gets pulled back in. In a city rich in high school hoops, Arrigale is at the front of the pack. Its something [that] Ive never seen before at the high school level, Devenney said about the game day experience at Neumann-Goretti. Neumann-Goretti is not the only PCL school that struggles with limited facilities. It killed me to see the Eagles blow the game. Philip Brave Davis, the Leader of the Opposition On the Death of Sports Ico." Six days later, Cunningham was the best player on the court when Neumann edged Roman by a point and finally broke through for Arrigales first Catholic League title. 9 Father Judge 61 Quarterfinals No. Jackson, the older son of former Roman Catholic and Temple star and NBA player Marc Jackson, finished with 19 points on 8-for-8 shooting from the field and 3-for-5 from the line. On 3/18, the Roman Catholic varsity basketball team won their away playoff game against Parkland (Allentown, PA) by a score of 53-35. Prior [continue reading], Lawncrest resident Rick Heydt is entering his 11th year coaching in the Fox Chase Roller Hockeyleague. I have a family. Then coming into this year,[I] [am] really getting to see it explode, especially with the pandemic behind us. should all see rotation minutes for Roman. Roman Catholic's Basketball Program Guide for the 2022-2023 School Year; Student Life. A Roman alum, McNesby went 168-55 (.753) overall and 90-16 (.849) in the Catholic League in the eight years that followed, winning back-to-back Catholic League and PIAA state championships in both 2015 and 16. [ April 26, 2023 ] Amateur Sports: Philadelphia Catholic League Has Traditions That Extend Beyond the Court. Its not just it was an 88-point margin. He was also an Algebra 2 teacher at Roman. McNesby (above, in 2016) coached Roman Catholic to two straight PIAA big-school crowns before stepping down. Boys HS As he pulled into the fabled school at the corner of Broad and Vine Streets, he received a call from an old friend: riffin will step down as Roman Catholics head coach and athletic director, effective April 1, and become an assistant on Killings staff at Albany. Home Jumping right back into a team with nothing less than championship expectations is the only way McNesby would have it. People started to take notice.. Arrigale won his first league title and also set the foundation for his program. WHYY reported the Archdiocesan conducted a study that found North Catholics enrollment decreased by 29 percent. That trio alone will be plenty for opponents to deal with, along with 6-8 big man, , who started a few games as a freshman; it remains to be seen if 6-7 rising senior wing. Clubs and . However, the outside support the school receives is an underrated factor of its success on the court. Mr. Carbone said that Mr. Kirck, who has two daughters who play basketball for Sacred Heart, would miss the teams highly anticipated game against Hamden High School on Thursday night. And the washing machine? When McNesby left, there were a lot of youth teams to coach, complicated schedules that meant his Roman demands would have meant extra hardship on his family. He got everything you could possibly get out of it, so were excited. All rights reserved. His mom told him they would take care of the store while he coached. Some were fresh out of school. We still have great relationships with all of the guys who come through our program., Tag(s): They even got paid. Arrigale was a fifth grader at King of Peace on 26th and Reed when Dom Giordano put him on the seventh- and eighth-grade team. And by the end of the third quarter, it had ballooned to 80-0. READ MORE: The Palestra still has nights when it comes to life thanks to Catholic League basketball. They won that night and his father died two months later. (Ed. [ April 26, 2023 ] Mantua: Neighborhood Community Center Faces Potential Demolition, [ March 27, 2023 ] Health: The Unseen Cost of an Undiscussed Topic, [ March 22, 2023 ] Northeast Philadelphia: Socks For The Streets Is Reducing The Stigma Of Homelessness, [ March 20, 2023 ] Mantua: Murals Serve As Reminders of Community Triumphs. High School. 10.1 points and 6.9 assists. Neumann Goretti's Carl Arrigale sells washing machines. Arrigale was on the porch with his dad in North Wildwood a few years ago when he said he was thinking about stepping away. Griffin played his first two collegiate seasons at Rider then transferred to play at Boston University, where he met Killings, who was an assistant with the Terriers at the time. And with the right progress, Roman has the potential to make some noise there again this season. There were also his kids: Allie (14), Julia (12), and Patrick (10). Commitment in that aspect of the game could be the deciding factor in how their season goes. Killings recommended a workout place he used in Fairmount and Griffin signed on, getting closer to his old coach as Griffin taught at a charter school on Broad Street and helped out Speedy Morris at the Prep. We are doing everything we can to use playgrounds [and] recreational centers, Devenney said about other practice sites. The court is on . Staying engaged on defense and the glass will be a key in handling those games and being able to reach their potential, according to McNesby. One transfer picked up already out of the portal, Paul Newman, is a Roman grad, but graduated just before Griffin took over. John Neumann. Coach, Im on 11th Street. Im like 11th Street is the new Broad Street. Basketball is one of the most popular sports at Christ the King for boys and girls in grades 3-8. before he stepped down from the position he began in 2008, guiding the Cahillites to a 168-55 record in eight seasons. Im losing money doing this because what they pay you and what you put out doesnt match up. What am I doing? Tournament Game 2023 PIAA Boys' Basketball Championships 4A Boys' Championship Allentown Central Catholic 49 Neumann-Goretti 67 Final Box Score Tournament Bracket Mar 21, 2023 @ 1:29am Im 56 and I get cranky this time of year, Arrigale said. Wood junior guard Jalil Bethea earned Catholic League Player of the Year honors and is being recruited by the likes of Syracuse and UCLA, while Xzayvier Brown is a high-level senior guard headed to St. Joseph's. Gillespie and Samuels returning to Villanova, Drexel's T.J. Bickerstaff enters transfer portal, California residents do not sell my data request. The suspension of Jason Kirck, the third-year coach of the Sharks, one of the top-ranked teams in the state, was confirmed on Thursday by Al Carbone, the commissioner of the Southern Connecticut Conference. Because weve had a relationship for such a long time, it was something that we had talked about, Griffin said. Playing and developing under Killings and former Penn State head coach Pat Chambers, Griffin was an integral part of the Terriers 2011 America East Conference Tournament Championship as a junior and helped the team advance to the NCAA Tournament against No. Theres times, not having those player relationships, its like gut-wrenching, to be sitting at home on a Friday night or a Sunday, like what am I doing?. Then the Coach Was Suspended. 1:15. Before the funeral, Arrigale had to go to North Wildwood to grab some documents and other things from his dads place. Locking in on defense to complement the offensive talent could help the program reach its championship aspirations again. Held at the historic Palestra, the Catholic League playoffs are the biggest stage in local high school basketball. His influences continued in high school when he sat in Morris Roxborough living room the same chair he still has today, Arrigale said and felt the connection that a coach could make with his players. Almost five years after taking the job at one of the most successful and notorious programs in Philadelphia (and abroad), Griffin will head north to play in the same league where he played his last two years of college basketball. Becoming a Division I coach is something Griffins family has a wealth of success doing. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, North Catholic created a $1.5 million dollar information-technology program that gave its students opportunities to train as information technologists, computer repairmen and network managers. (Friday, Temple forward Dre Perry committed to Albany as a grad transfer.). As we publish more, the complete list of schools previewed will be found here. Griffin took over for the next five years and won two PCL championships, in 2018 and 2019. The Griffin name means something in Philadelphia basketball. (Photo: Mark Jordan/CoBL). The score is there. From Miami Heat point guard Kyle Lowry to Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, the PCL has produced an immense amount of talent over the years. For me, being a Catholic League guy for years, McNesby said last month at the City of Basketball Love Interstate Shootout, (the goal) is to win the Catholic League. One of the things Chris brought to the table the first time, and Matt built up on it [] were not a basketball program with a school attached, were a school that has a basketball program, and that perspective is really important to make sure these guys are ingrained as part of the program, Bongard said. A few years later, Giordano provided Arrigale with a taste of coaching when he asked the seventh and eighth graders to coach the kids in the younger grades. Roman Catholic head coach Matt Griffin will become the assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Albany - PSD Photo by Geneva Heffernan. Its funny, the first time I ever saw Dwayne, he was walking around campus with Pat for his interview, Matt Griffin said this week. Griffin certainly was no slouch in the follow-up act, winning Catholic League championships in 2018 and 2019 while finishing as runners-up each of the last two years; he was 96-29 (54-12 PCL) in five years, going 10-2 this past season. It just kind of happened. On 3/15, the Roman Catholic varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against Lower Merion (Ardmore, PA) by a score of 60-56. Griffin picked Killings brain on presenting his program to college coaches. Mr. Carbone, the Southern Connecticut Conference commissioner, pointed out that scholastic coaches in the state must be certified. He's also one of Philly's greatest hoops coaches. If we all come together as a collective group defensively and get stops, the sky's the limit for our group. He led Roman to four consecutive Philadelphia Catholic Championship appearances, winning back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019. Roman Catholic coach Matt Griffin has joined Dwayne Killings' staff at Albany. The title game will be the fifth matchup between Saints coach Carl Arrigale and Cahillites coach Chris McNesby in the PCL finale. McNesby coached the sons and relatives of his former teammates at Roman Catholic. For 103 years, the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) has influenced generations of basketball players and coaches. Hes been there before. Youd get like 10 or 15 bucks and back then in the 70s, you had money in your pocket for the week. He has reached the final in 18 of his 25 seasons as head coach and has the most championships in league history. As he pulled into the fabled school at the corner of Broad and Vine Streets, he received a call from an old friend:Dwayne Killings. He returned to coach his alma mater to develop a new generation of PCL standouts. A School Won 92-4 in Basketball. But the lopsided result of the high school girls basketball game in Connecticut this week might have made even Bobby Knight blanch the final score between Sacred Heart Academy and Lyman Hall High School was 92-4. The enthusiasm is mutual for McNesby, whos enjoyed working with his players ahead of the season. The long-standing tradition and reputation of the program made this issue easier to handle. Killings later moved on to Connecticut and Marquette. The Palestra still has nights when it comes to life thanks to Catholic League basketball, to win his 13th Catholic League boys title, Roman Catholic vs. Neumann Goretti sets up familiar championship matchup for Catholic League title. 1 seed Kansas. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL) At the half, the lead was 56-0. But in recent years, despite the championship pedigree, the PCL has become known for something else: A lack of resources. McNesbys also certainly proud of the Roman alumni he coached who have turned pro, most notably Stevens, who just signed a multi-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers after coming just a few points shy of setting the Penn State scoring record. Roman Catholic coach Matt Griffin has joined Dwayne Killings' staff at Albany. Its like being a part of something really special, and when youre away from it, youre outside the circle. "It was pretty cool. Why? Ill be right there. He gave me zero trouble and was a great teammate. Now the boss, putting together his own first staff, Killings reached back to that one season in Boston, to a guy he calls a rock star born in the business.. Home Roman Catholic's second-leading scorer is 6-7 sophomore forward Shareef Jackson, who averages 10.7 points per game. Even for an open gym, Killings suggested, have players wear numbers, give coaches a roster with those numbers when they walk in. He avg. Assistant Coach Email mjgriffin@albany.edu Phone (518) 442-3036 Previously, Griffin was the head coach at Roman Catholic High School from 2016-2021. The full-court pressure and man-to-man defense had been just that suffocating. It was a PhD in coaching, Griffin said of his time at Roman, coaching an ultra-talented team which won two Philadelphia Catholic League titles and two state titles. He informed his players of his decision on Tuesday as they wrapped up the season and got together one last time. He coached over 13 collegiate basketball players, including seven Division I players. 1 thing he wants me to do is develop players and monitor their progress, Griffin said. When Griffin said "yes" to his new assignment, he couldn't help but smile. Chapman, 5-9 junior guard, played the . Morris started coaching at St. John the Baptist Catholic School's CYO varsity basketball team. They all love each other, Arrigale said. He grew up at 29th and McKean, was married at St. Gabriels, raised his family a 10-minute walk from the stadiums, and now coaches the high-school basketball team that defines South Philadelphia just as much as he does.