Our Lady of Hope CYO Basketball recently wrapped up its spring intramural league and went right into the summer session. The team, featuring players Ryan Li, Antonio Ruggiano, Chris Colacello, Chris Zanino, Tyler Aguilar and Ryan Leary, is led by Carle Place High School Varsity Boys Basketball Coach John Cantwell and Assistant Coach James McKeough.
 
Once the CYO travel season ended, a Carle Place league began for the boys in grades 6-8 to keep them playing. The league consisted of a uniform, 12 games and 10 practices for $100 a player. This gave all the boys, especially those whose families may not be able to afford the costly price of AAU travel basketball, the opportunity to play more basketball. They had five teams with a total of 40 boys play and with the help of Coach Cantwell, had the Carle Place High School boys basketball players referee the games.  
 
Coach Cantwell and Assistant Coach McKeough have been an instrumental part of the program. According to Jim McGovern, President of Our Lady of Hope CYO, Coach Cantwell “has gone above and beyond, coming down and volunteering to coach the games and has even run training sessions for the boys on five occasions on nights we did not have games. The boys really enjoy having him as a coach and are getting a great deal out of it.”
 
Varsity Assistant Coach McKeough has also helped in any way possible.
 
“It is great to see a recent graduate of Carle Place High School wanting to be so involved in the program,” said Mr. McGovern. “The boys love interacting with the varsity coaches and players. Having Coach Cantwell and his team volunteering their time to help build the youth basketball program in Carle Place is very refreshing as most high school coaches have very little interaction or interest in growing their towns youth programs.” 
 
The Carle Place School District is proud to support Our Lady of Hope CYO Basketball and understands how important their program is to the community.
 
“C.P. sports programs are a valuable tool for our young student athletes to achieve confidence and experience of such a beautiful game as basketball,” Carle Place Board of Education Vice President Neil McLaughlin said.
 
Thank you to Coach Cantwell and Assistant Coach McKeough for your leadership and support of these young athletes!

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Date Added: 5/31/2023