Batavia Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Buddy Brasky has missed playing crosstown rival Notre Dame.
“Once they changed the format of the Lyons Club Christmas Tournament to large school/small school, we don’t have a chance to match up with them,” says Brasky.
The Batavia and Notre Dame Basketball teams have not met on the court since 2017.
After some discussion with his new JV Basketball coach, the seed was planted.
Coach Buddy Brasky with JV Coach Dave Pero
“My new JV Coach Dave Pero is a graduate of Notre Dame and he is related to the Napoleones ( The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation (michaelshope.org), so I just thought it was a way to get the rivalry going again.”
JV girls and boys basketball teams for both schools played at Batavia High School on Saturday afternoon.
The girls and boys varsity basketball teams played at GCC on Saturday evening. The games did not disappoint. Both games were close at the end and went down to the last second of play.
Emma Sisson and Nina Bartz of Notre Dame with the first trophy from Hoops for Hope 2024, with Mark and Laurie Napoleone.
Notre Dame girls varsity topped the Batavia Blue Devils 29-24.
The Batavia boys varsity team held on to win 53-49 after a comeback in the second half by the Fighting Irish.
Admission was $5.00, and $2.00 for students. 5 and under were free. 50/50 raffles were available along with concessions.
“We’re hoping we raise quite a bit of money for the Napoleone Foundation and that its successful and everybody wants to keep doing it.”
