NY Hoops: 2025 Archdiocesan Opening Round Recap
February 16, 2025 by Brian Flinn
The First Round of the 2025 Archdiocesan tournament started on Sunday afternoon with three matchups to determine the other three semi-finalists to join Stepinac in the chase for a championship. MADE was at Mount Saint Michael for the three games and recaps some of the takeaways from round one:
Hayes is Growing Up
Given a handful of transfers out over the last year, Cardinal Hayes looks a bit different than expected this time last season. A suddenly young Hayes team has been buoyed by the emergence of junior wing David Gaymon and the freshman duo of Brice Yance and Souley Kone. Sophomore big man Amadou Barry gives them size inside that they were sorely missing last season and this tram has the talent to compete with almost anyone in the league.
Turnage & Stores Key For Ravens
The senior duo of Brandon Stores and Tai Turnage have been a big part of the St Raymond program over the last four years and Sunday afternoon was no exception. They finished with a combined 45 of the Ravens’ 61 points in the win. Turnage in particular was big down the stretch and helped to close the game out. It will have to be more of the same for the All-CHSAA duo if the Ravens are going to capture the City Crown.
Iona Prep Hitting Their Stride at The Right Time
The Gaels mowed through Mount Saint Michael on Sunday evening and the #2 seed has set up a matchup with #3 seed St. Raymond in the process. Senior point guard Johnny Keenan backed up his first team All-League selection with his strong creation and shooting while the sophomore wing duo of Dillon Callahan and Ray Fernandez were also effective. Seemingly everyone got into the act on Sunday, something that if it repeats again on Tuesday, bodes well for Iona Prep.