La Salle Drops Opening Day Doubleheader

Thursday, March 23, 2017 – La Salle Academy varsity and junior varsity Cardinals suffered losses on their opening-day games 6-0 on Varsity and 11-2 to non-conference, cross-town rival Xavier on a cold and blustery day at American Legion Field in Brooklyn.

Final scores notwithstanding, both games were close.  Varsity was down 0-1 going into the top of the seventh but Xavier struck for five to put the game away.  JV was tied 1-1 until the 3rd thanks to an RBI single by Angel Espinal but in the fourth errors and miscues lead to seven Xavier JV runs.

The next game will be played at American Legion Field on Thursday, March 30th at 4pm against Cardinal Hayes.

LA SALLE ADVANCES TO FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

 

East Village, N.Y., March 24, 2017 – In a thrilling matchup between two New York City teams, La Salle Academy varsity basketball defeated Fannie Lou Hamer High School 61-47 to advance to the Federation Tournament Final. With today’s win, the Cardinals will face Westhill High School in the Championship Game at 5pm on Saturday, March 25th at the Glens Falls Civic Center. This game will also be broadcast live on Spectrum Sports.

A game that began with a 19-5 La Salle run, the Cardinals would extend the lead to 11 points entering the 4th quarter behind the play of Isaiah Allen-Smith and James Bouknight. The Cardinals would solidify the win with strong defense and great teamwork down the stretch. Isaiah Allen-Smith led the way with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while James Bouknight added 12 points and Justin Rivera added 10 points. Senior and varsity team captain, Bryce Council, controlled the tempo with 8 points and 9 assists.

“What an incredible season and four years this has been,” Council exclaimed. “We have been counted out and overlooked…but we have been working towards these goals for years. The last two years we fell short, so this year our mindset was to be mindful of that feeling we had after those losses and use that as a part of our fuel to drive us. We are focused, we are on the same page, we play for each other, we want to win and ‘We Are La Salle!’”

“This team has been a true pleasure to coach and the focus of the team is to be the very best we can on and off the court, something we have achieved thus far,” said Head Coach Jerome Pannell. “It is, quite honestly, a true honor to be able to be a part of the resurgence of La Salle, not only the basketball program but the institution as a whole. La Salle Basketball has a rich tradition and this team, especially these seniors, are a true example of resilience, perseverance and the work ethic that is a pillar of being true Lasallians.”

The championship titles earned this season have come at an excellent time for La Salle Academy, as the school is being resurrected as a top-notch New York City Lasallian Catholic school, officially hitting wait-list admissions for the second year in a row after a 29-year drought.

La Salle now has nine total City Championship titles (1943, 1946, 1954, 1962, 1967, 1971, 1997, 2004, and 2017) and one State Catholic Championship title (1997). La Salle’s last appearance in the Federation Tournament of Champions was in 1997.

 

 

 

La Salle Marches in the NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade!

La Salle Academy marched 300 strong – 100 more than last year – in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the oldest and largest parade of its kind in the United States. Over 220 of our student body, 25 staff and faculty, and over 50 alumni and family marched along 5th Avenue on Friday as the sun came out and La Salle came back with the vengeance.  The group was led – for the first time in over 30 years – by our La Salle Band as they played the La Salle Fight Song and other marching tunes. It was glorious!

Thank to Principal Kerry Conroy for “drafting” more boys to march this year than since we began marching again in 2015 or 2016 combined. Additional special thanks go to Band Leader Joe Alfano who worked magic with a small, yet strikingly game and talented band that broke through the vacuum with a flair. And finally, thank you to the alumni and trustees who joined us at Marty Cottingham’s office for a huge brunch.

 

 

Snow Day: Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Due to the forecast of inclement weather, La Salle Academy will be closed on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. There will be no school and offices will be closed. Stay safe and warm. Happy snow day!

Varsity Basketball Wins State Catholic Championship

La Salle Academy’s varsity basketball team defeated St. Mary’s of Lancaster 80-52 to win the State Catholic “B” Division Championship on Saturday at Fordham University.

Getting off to a slow start that had the team down 4 points at the end of the first quarter, Justin Rivera led the way with his strong defensive effort in the 2nd quarter which led to a slim 5-point halftime lead for the Cardinals.

The game proved to be a tale of two halves as the Cardinals would outscore the Lancers 44-21 in the 2nd half to secure the victory.

Throughout, the Cardinals would force a total of 28 turnovers which dictated the pace and tempo of the game.

Sophomore Josiah Chandler led with a career-high 20 points, while Bryce Council added 14 points, James Bouknight chipped in with 13 points and Isaiah Allen-Smith finished with 12 points.

With the victory, La Salle has advanced to the New York State Class “B” Federation Tournament of Champions (Glens Falls, NY) of Catholic, Public and Private schools to be held March 23rd -26th. Game times and match-ups are TBD.

Check out some press coverage of this historic victory: https://nychoops.rivals.com/news/chsaa-class-a-and-b-championships

 

Students Attend NY Red Bulls Home Opener

A group of La Salle students, including most of the Cardinal soccer team, attended the
home opener of the New York Red Bulls match on Saturday, March 11th! It was a cold day for soccer, but the boys were all smiles as they cheered on the Red Bulls to victory over the Colorado Rapids. The boys hope to make it to a few more matches this season. Go Red Bulls!

Alumni Gather In Florida

La Salle Academy alumni are spread all over the country and the world. These men are a big part of La Salle’s history and legacy, which is why La Salle’s President and Vice President try their best to visit our alumni, nationwide.

Recently, President Dr. Guerriero and Vice President Ismini Scouras visited West Palm Beach, FL last week. Several La Salle Academy alumni gathered together in sunny Florida at a reception hosted by Dr. Guerriero and VP Scouras. The La Salle pride was strong, as many old friends reunited and learned about all of the exciting happenings at their alma mater including the comeback of La Salle’s band and digital learning!

Keep an eye out for more alumni receptions that could be happening in your area!

Cardinal Soccer Trains With The New York Red Bulls

Bouna Coundoul, a former New York Red Bulls player and current trainer for the professional team, ran a two-hour clinic on Friday afternoon for twenty-five La Salle young men, most of whom are part of La Salle’s soccer team. The clinic was held in the school gym on 6th Street. Joined by La Salle Coach Pally, these young men worked tirelessly the entire clinic, running drills and practicing their penalty shots. Fifteen minutes into the session, the student athletes were already asking when the NY Red Bulls would be back. The students were able to learn about what it takes to make it to the professional level. Coundoul answered questions and signed autographs for the young men at the end of the session. The day was a great success. La Salle Academy would like to thank the New York Red Bulls for this special event.

  

Varsity Basketball Captures First City Championship Since 2004

La Salle Academy captured the CHSAA Class B City Championship with a 78-64 victory over Sacred Heart at Fordham University on Friday night.  CHSAA Class B Most Valuable Player James Bouknight would score all 21 of his points in the second half to help secure the victory.

A tremendous team effort, Reggie Outlaw had 19 points and Korey Williams added 16 points as the Cardinals move on to the Catholic State Class B Championship. Isaiah Allen-Smith (12 points) and Bryce Council (10 assists) also made large contributions to the win.

La Salle (24-2) captures the school’s first championship trophy since 2004 and will take on St. Mary’s of Lancaster at 11 a.m. next Saturday, March 11 at Fordham University.

Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased in advance through La Salle’s Athletic Department ($5) beginning Monday, March 6, or at the door on Saturday ($10).

Check out this article featuring one of La Salle’s Junior, James Bouknight!