The first postseason event of the 2026 St. Francis Summer Classic was held last Wednesday, August 26, with the second annual Tom Konchalski All Star Games. Tom Konchalski was a well-known and well-loved high school basketball talent evaluator who had a long relationship with the Summer Classic going back to its inception in 1985, until he passed in 2021, following a battle with prostate cancer.
Konchalski had a very special relationship with CYO and the Catholic High School Athletic Association and was known for both his humility and his honest evaluations and insights. He was enshrined in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 and the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. He was a devout Catholic who attended Mass daily and stated, “Basketball has been my mistress, but my faith is my lawful wife.”
The Thomas C. Konchalski Foundation was established to carry on his legacy. Foundation board member, John Mullally, approached Summer Classic Director Keith Goldberg to discuss creating an event tied to the Summer Classic. It was agreed that an evening of All-Star games for the Summer Classic players who will return to high school this year was the appropriate way to honor Tom and with the success of last year’s inaugural event, it was a no-brainer to run it back again this year.
On Wednesday August 26, the evening began with a game for Boys who will be in grades 9 and 10 this fall. The game was coached by Alex Goldberg and Sean Peter Mullen and the Grey team won 56-45 over White. JJ Cipolla was the high scorer for Grey with 16, while Brendan Hayden’s 12 led White. Other players were Paddy Palisi, Rafael Campos, Greg Brenna, Rob Giuseffi, Paul Pedone, Petey Hayden, Jack Belford, Tim McDonagh, Jack Leahy, Kendall Hayes, Matt Ganun, Matt Didora, JoJo McDermott, Ryan Tubridy, Connor Ventimiglia, Joseph Bean, Brian Nigro, Michael Clark, and William Kelly.
The Girls Game was coached by Terence Mullen and Allison Chavanne and Grey cruised over White. Molly Trears, Ava Masullo and Mara Brady shared the scoring lead for Grey while Ava Leone of White was the game’s high scorer. Also selected for play were Jenna Faherty, Kinley Hearn, Maddie Sassone, Ashley Chavanne, Riley Mitchell, Maeve Bartholomeo, Callie Mullin, Caroline Mullin, Ciara McGinley, Liliana LaBarca, Emily Schwarzrock, Evie Kotarski, Kaitlynn Kruck, and Logan Leahy.
The final game of the evening was for Boys in grades 11 and 12, coached by Charlie Marquardt and Brian Kelly. Jack Hayes scored the decisive points as Grey beat White 51-48 in overtime. Kyle Robinson led Grey with 16. Hughie Courtney had a game high 17 for White. David Duncan, Jack O’Grady, Mike Chiarantano, Peter McElhinney, Connor Hayden, Michael Masullo, Eddie Minson, Ty Duffy, David Graves, Jack Theis, Peter Murray, Sean McDonagh, Bryan McKinnon-Doyle, Tim Leahy, Luke Walsh, and Michael McCann completed the rosters.
Board Foundation members John Mullally and Archbishop Molloy coach Mike McCleary spoke before each game about Konchalski’s life and contributions to the game of basketball. Special thanks were made to Tom’s brother and president of the Foundation, Steve Konchalski, as well as board members Barry ‘Slice’ Rohrssen and Joe Dunleavy.
A reception for the coaches and directors followed at Jamesons with stories of Tom’s life recalled and exchanged and the success of the event celebrated. We look forward to the third annual Tom Konchalski Summer Classic All Star games in 2027.
