Church League Power Rankings

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#1: GLC

With no player under 5-feet 10-inches, Grace Lutheran Church (GLC) presents a nightmare to any and every short player out on the hardtop this church league season.

“The will to win is much more prevalent than it was last season,” guard Colin Temple ‘16 said.

After an undefeated season and championship two years ago in the freshman/sophomore league, GLC suffered a first round elimination to a star-studded St. Cletus Purple team in playoffs, led by Michael Caplice ‘15 and Oliver Wilp ‘15. GLC looks to rebound and run to the championship again this year, Temple said.

“We’ve definitely got something more to prove this year,” forward Tom Sopic ‘16 said. “We’re out for vengeance.”

The fault in the stars of GLC last year was their inability to get off to hot starts, as they let the opponents control the first half most of the time, Temple said.

This year, GLC will look to leaders Griffin Hickey ‘16, Tim Murphy ‘16, Dan Rick ‘16, Dan King ‘16 and Temple to supply points as five former members of LT basketball.

As far as off-court bonding goes, Sopic hopes to be able to become closer with his teammates despite allegations that a few players would leave GLC to commit to another team. Temple declined to comment on these allegations.

“Maybe we’ll play a quick nine on the links every once in awhile if the weather is nice,” Sopic said, despite the fact that the church league season is smack dab in the middle of winter. “Really, we’ll be fine if I continue my superstition of going to the bathroom four times before every game.”

 

#2: SJC Yellow

Coming in ranked second overall in the league, St. John of the Cross Yellow looks to prove itself through its athleticism, physical playing style and leadership from one senior in particular: Charlie Wennerstrum.

“I’ve never seen him miss a three,” teammate Jimmy Saracco ‘16 said. “Kid’s just a freak of nature. He can palm a ball, spin it on his finger, make free throws and make layups. He’s a good player.”

According to Saracco, Wennerstrum is interested in playing at Illinois Wesleyan next year to continue his basketball career. Wennerstrum himself had no comment on that claim.

Saracco insists that the team itself has no weakness, and with solid shooting ability overall, a strong core of senior leaders and an abundance of athletes on the team, the team certainly looks strong. The squad is confidently commanded by floor general Saracco during the games, who is comparable to Jackie Moon in his ability as a player-coach.

However, due to the randomization of St. John’s teams, the team could be said to have a lack of coordination due to the players not having played with each other for their entire Church League careers. This criticism is one Wennerstrum dismisses, however.

“Our strength is the chemistry between me and my boys,” Wennerstrum said. “Some of us have been playing pick-up ball since grade school.”

Another concern for the team is the durability of Fenwick’s Jack Moore ‘16, who, according to Wennerstrum, recently got mono and it is uncertain as to how that will affect his playing ability. Despite this, the team is encouraged about its chances in the playoffs due to the retirement of rival Chase Nacker ’16 from Church League and it is confident in the playing ability of, obviously, Wennerstrum.

“Like I said, Charlie can palm a ball, make hook shots and play in the paint,” Saracco said. “He doesn’t do anything wrong and luckily I have him on my team.”

 

#3: God Squad

Perhaps the biggest offseason addition to the hustling and bustling church league free agency was the addition of 6-foot, 5-inch Lehigh football commit Matt Prendergast ‘16 from Nazareth Academy to the Saint Francis team commonly referred to as “God Squad”.

“There is no body in church league that will be able to stop us down low” guard Thomas Stenner ‘16 said.

God Squad showed a lot of potential after coming four points away from knocking off the first-seeded First Presbyterian Church of La Grange in the opening round of playoffs despite being down by 18 with 10 minutes remaining.

Besides winning a championship, God Squad’s biggest goal is to beat its bitter rival, Grace Lutheran Church (GLC), guard Jamie Thele ‘16 said, partly due to allegations that GLC doesn’t have the required church parishioners.

“[GLC] cheats,” Thele said. “They have like one parishioner on their team, maybe two.”

As far as play makers go, God Squad looks to former LT basketball player Andrew Cooley ‘16 as well as Michael Phelan ‘16 to bounce back from an off-year as a team, Stenner said.

However, more than any other player, God Squad attributes their anticipated success to their religious beliefs.

“At half time in the locker room, we just pray that we are able to let up a little mercy on the other team,” Stenner said.

 

#4: Congo

After a heartbreaking 58-54 loss in the championship game to SFX Kuchler last season, Congo Hoops is looking to make a strong finish in this Church League season as well. Led by strong senior players such as Maddox Hill ’16, Nick Economou ’16, Matthew Dickett ’16 and Trace Mortimer ’16, the team plans on dominating the league this year.

“We’re amazing,” Mortimer said. “Have you ever seen the Roman Empire fight a war? That’s what we are. Do you remember France in basically any war ever? That’s basically what Congo makes every other team looks like.”

The team’s biggest weakness may be its lack of a post up game. However, according to Mortimer, Congo makes for this lack of size by having the five players on the court basically line up around the arc, as the team is quite deadly from three point range.  The team hopes to use this method and successfully shoot “PFadeaways” and “PFloaters” into success in the postseason.

Although not a spectacular regular season team, Congo is still a threat to make a deep run come playoff time due to their three-point shooting abilities and unselfish playing style. The team also has Evan Kupec ‘17, who, according to Hill, is “a body” on the court and a force to be reckoned.  Kupec, along with sharpshooter Dickett, should be making a difference on that court this year and making up for the loss of high scorers Rory O’Donnell ‘15 and Patrick Duncan ‘15.

“Some games we got our heads in the clouds,” Hill said. “We like to go out there and have some fun, but in playoffs we’re a playoff team.”

 

#5: Cletus Purple

 The boys of St. Cletus’ Purple team are hungry for a Church League Championship this upcoming season. Comprised of nine seniors, Purple has put on a great deal of size—both in physical strength and heart.

Michael Rogers ‘16 is expected to be this year’s biggest producer on Purple as a former member of the LT boys’ basketball program in his freshman and sophomore year as well as having a winning mentality.

“I’m fresh now, working out and ready to go,” Rogers said. “Hopefully the rest of the team will be too.”

The size does not end with Rogers; many of Purple’s team members have put in the time to bulk up in preparation for the season, Peter Garvey ‘16 said.

Ian ‘Farnanimal’ Farnan ‘16 is a pretty big guy and looking to play football at the College of Dupage next year,” Garvey  said. “Dave O’Connor ‘16 will be huge for getting rebounds.”

Purple’s number one priority, outside of securing a first place finish, is to beat Grace Lutheran Church (GLC) who typically can dominate the court and won the championship last year.

“No one’s really too fond of [GLC],” Rogers said. “They talk too much. This year I think we’ll have a good turnout for Purple at every game and we’ll have a solid chance to win it all.”

 

#6: Cletus Gray

St. Cletus’ Gray team has a lot to prove this upcoming season after a lackluster performance last year. Gray now has eight seniors who are ready to take a run at the championship title.

“We’re coming back strong this year with the additions of Sam Wilson ‘16 and Bryan Romero ‘16 which I think will help the team chemistry,” guard, Jack Dahill ‘16 said.

Hanging out off the court is a big part of Gray, according to forward Justin Goethals ‘16.

The team places an added emphasis on bonding and attending daily workouts at Charter Fitness as well as having team meals and good-natured debauchery.

Ryan Kelly ‘16 and Victor Alvarez ‘16 are projected to be the breakout players and bring the goods this year on Team Gray, Goethals said.

“[Kelly] is a solid post player, but he also has a decent outside shot and will definitely be the player to watch,” Dahill said.

“I expect big things from [Alvarez],” Goethals said. “He’s always been a top player and an on-and-off the court awesome kid.”

Grace Lutheran Church (GLC) will be Gray’s most contentious opponent for the upcoming season.

Tommy Sopic ‘16 of GLC is experienced at taking charges, which has stopped Cletus’ momentum in the past, Goethals said.

Despite GLC’s championship win sophomore year Gray is ready to strike back.

“Our biggest threat is GLC,” Dahill said. “We’re gonna gun for them this year though.”

 

#7: SJC Pink

As the Saint John of the Cross Pink church league team warms themselves up for the coming season, they face a few staggering obstacles in the way of their dreams of the championship. Disregarding these facts, such as being the smallest church league team in the top ten with only nine members, Jack Dulla ’16, Josh Santi ’16 and the player to watch, Jake Pigatto ’16 remain faithful.

“As a team, we have put in a lot of time in the offseason for what’s coming,” Dulla said. “We put in long hours at the weight room.”

Despite only practicing for one hour every week, the team has a lot of chemistry having known each other for a long time, Dulla said.

“Our biggest strengths are probably our competitive natures and the big bodies of none other than Santi and Bryan Behrendt ’16,” Dulla said.

With a shot to play in the league according to the LION newspaper analytics division, the SJC Pink team continues with high hopes.

“In the coming years, check for SJC Pink players in Division 1 programs,” Dulla said.

 

#8: SFX Panosh

With a variety of player abilities such as their ferocious 3-point specialist Nathan Egert ’16 and versatile post player Nick Rosenberger ’16, Team Panosh will be one of the toughest teams to guard on the court.

“With some really good new players and all the seniors on our team, we do not have many weaknesses, but instead a lot of strengths” Egert said. “Additionally, our team chemistry is so good that we would put the ’95-’96 Bulls team to shame”.

Not only does Panosh have great team chemistry, but they have a variety of skilled players.

“After a lot of time practicing and receiving new recruits, such as Kestutis Kelecius ’16 and John Reynolds ’16, our team is bound to dominate the boards this season,” Rosenberger said. “Our team also consists of players who can score and contribute on both sides of the court”.

After some key losses last year, Panosh anticipates future matches against their rivals to get rather heard.

“Our biggest rivals other than the highly-anticipated God Squad is definitely Victor Alvarez’s ’16 St. Cletus Gray squad,” Egert said. “But do not worry Shark Boy, we are coming for you”.

After three years of church ball and no championship, Panosh will look toward advancing through the playoffs and into the championship.

“With our fast pace offense, and physicality in the post, it will be hard to guard our team,” Rosenberger said. “Without jinxing anything, our team is hopefully going to win a lot of games and make it to the playoffs where we will advance to the championship.”

 

#9: Hope

In the past church league seasons, Hope has been a name sometimes associated with the question, “Who are they?”, but this year’s group of 11 players aims to make a name for themselves like they never have before, with leaders such as John Louder ’16, Nick Franco ’16 and the player to watch, David Skiba ’16.

“Most of us boys on Hope have been playing together since we were in diapers,” Skiba said. “It’s been a long 8 years.”

With the self-proclaimed best three point shooter in the league, Louder, Hope aspires to win game after game.

“With all of the vigorous practicing we do, we’re bound to make it to the championships,” Skiba said.

Seeking fun and one last year with his bros, Skiba is dedicated to the fun that can be brought out on the court of the Lord, Skiba said.

“We really couldn’t do what we do without all of the loving moms that come out to cheer us on,” Skiba said. “They’re our biggest strength for sure.”

 

#10: SFX Buhle

With their quick offense and new additions to the team, returning players Thomas Saggua ‘17 and Ryan O’Malley ’17 believe their team has what it takes to make it to be an elite church league team.

“We added three new players from Saint Ignatius, which will help our team on both sides of the court,” Saggua said. “They are all tall players, which will help us in the paint and body-up other big players.”

Although they do not have any rivals, SFX Buhle, widely known as the team crossovers, has a list of teams they want to get the win against.

“Last year we did not have many rivals, nor do we this year,” O’Malley said. “However, there are teams we would like to beat more than others, these include the other SFX teams and Saint Johns teams.”

Team crossovers is able to run the game without having to call plays, which changes the speed of the game said Saggau.

“Our team feeds off of momentum and fast breaks,” Saggua said. “We are a really fast team, but at the same time we play under control and limit turnovers.”

While having fun and enjoying the game of basketball is a team priority, O’Malley advised that is team will be a force to reckon with.

“I just want to say ‘watch out!’ to the teams that don’t see us coming,” O’Malley said. “we hang by our motto that everyone makes the playoffs.”