Despite frigid, snowy weather, a large crowd filled LeBron James Arena at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron on Jan. 19 for the third annual Cleveland Seminarians vs Cleveland Priests basketball game.
Spectators, including relatives of the players, travelled from across the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland for the friendly rivalry. They cheered, chanted and waved signs throughout the game, which was streamed live on the Vocation Office Facebook page. Click HERE to see the game.
The priests were victorious this year, topping the seminarians with a score of 44-36. Last year, the seminarians won bragging rights winning the game by 10 points, 47-37.
Repeating as the MVP for the priests was Father Kevin Klonowski, who played all 40 minutes and scored 22 points. He also had 7 rebounds and 6 steals.
Other top performers for the priests were Father Eric Garris, who played 33 minutes, had 12 rebounds, 1 block, 4 steals and scored 14 points. Father Steve Flynn had 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals in 23 minutes and Father Matt Jordan, who scored 3 points, had 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal in 10 minutes of play.
Martin DeSantis snagged MVP honors for the seminarians with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 steal during 24 minutes in the game.
Also for the seminarians, Cameron Farrell played 10 minutes, got 6 rebounds and scored 6 points and Xavier Macfarlane snagged 4 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal in 22 minutes of game time. Chris Cotone contributed 5 points and 3 steals in 25 minutes for the seminarians.
Scott Klonowski, head coach for the priests, was assisted by David Martin and Danny Dusek. John DeAngelo coached the seminarians.
The priests led at halftime 23-12. Although the seminarians stepped up their play in the second half, they fell short.
“It was lots of fun and we’ll do it again next year,” Father Klonowski said. “It was a tough game and we had to stay on our toes.”
Father Andy Turner, vice rector of Borromeo Seminary, offered the opening prayer.
Father Klonowski, who helped organize the event, led the closing prayer and offered a blessing.
The game not only was a fun event, it was a fundraiser for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Diocese of Cleveland. A suggested $2 donation at the door netted more than $1,100 for SVDP and a 50/50 raffle generated another $350.