Playing Ball for Clare at 3 on 3 by the Sea

by Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg | September 10, 2026 | NEWS

The 13th Annual Clare Droesch 3 on 3 by the Sea was once again held at St. Francis de Sales Fr. Grogan Memorial Schoolyard on Friday, August 28. More than 400 players on 101 teams competed in fantastic 3 on 3 basketball while honoring the memory of Clare Droesch. It has now been eight years since Clare passed in her courageous battle with breast cancer, following a standout All-American career as a player at St Francis, Christ the King, and Boston College, and a coaching career that took her to Vanderbilt, St John’s, Scholars’ Academy, St Edmund’s, and finally back to Christ the King.

Teams were broken into groups of three, four or five teams depending on how many teams entered in each age group. Pool play consisted of either two or three games. In age groups with only one section, the top two teams in pool play faced each other for the championship. In ages with two or three sections, the top team in each section battled for the championship. Additional consolation games were scheduled for teams that did not advance to the championship, particularly if pool play for their group consisted of two games.

Play was scheduled across four sessions beginning in the morning with the youngest age groups, and ending in the late afternoon with the high school divisions. The event included merchandise sales, a basketball demonstration by Black Jack Ryan, music from DJ Poppa D, 50/50’s and other special raffles to raise money for the Clare Droesch Foundation, which supports scholarships at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, Christ the King High School, and Boston College as well as providing assistance to families in need who are dealing with cancer. The Clare Droesch Foundation is administered by The Graybeards. A post-event celebration was held at Callie’s with lots of food and beverages, live musical entertainment, raffle winners drawn, and everyone toasting the great day as we remembered Clare.