2nd Annual 3 on 3 Alumni Basketball Recap

December 31st, 2013 marked another great day for Saintsmen and sports fans alike as theStA 2nd Annual 3on3 Tourney 39 Saints Alumni Association held their annual alumni 3-on-3 tournament in support of the Saints Varsity Basketball Team.  The annual event takes place the morning of New Year’s Eve and features alums playing against one-another in Daugherty gymnasium with members of the current varsity basketball team serving as their officials.  A hosted luncheon by the Alumni Association following the morning’s games gives those returning to campus a chance to see some of the changes on 32nd and Nutmeg Street and connect with Saintsmen young and old(er).

While there were a number of standout performers and impressive teams on display during the morning of pool play ”Buckets Academy”, comprised of Chris Agnes ’03, RJ Butler ’05, Daniel Butler ‘08, and Navid Barkazi ’08, took home this year’s tournament championship.  Attention was drawn to this team early on in the day after defeating three members of the 2013 California State Champions in their initial game.  While their competitive spirit on defense as well as timely baskets on offense were visible on their way to the finals, “Buckets Academy” would met an equally aggressive and ready opponent in “The Hoopers”.  Facing a team featuring two current collegiate football players in alums Sean Davey ’11 (Chapman) and Dana Barbaro ’10 (Dartmouth) and the timely shot making of Cody Anderson ’10, this year’s championship game proved to be a back and forth battle of high intensity and non-stop banter.  After a basket by Cody Anderson tied the score in the championship game, RJ Butler would respond with low-post basket of his own to give his team the lead.  From that point forward Chris Agnes would string together an impressive array of jump-shots and finishes in the paint in leading his team to this year’s title.

Following the championship game we caught up with Chris Agnes ‘03 for his thoughts on returning to Saints for this year’s Alumni Tournament…

Q: What was it like returning to Saints for this year’s Alumni Tournament?

A: “This was actually my first time back on campus since graduation.  The transformation has been quite the site to see.  It seemed so different but yet still felt so much the same.”

Q: What did you enjoy most from this event?

A: “I received the most enjoyment from winning the tournament.  Nothing’s more satisfying than winning, but aside from that it was really great seeing old faces.  The nostalgia was quite overwhelming and refreshing all in the same.  I’m looking forward to being back & winning again next year.”

Q: Was there anything you were surprised to see today?

A: “I was surprised at how drastically the structure of the campus has changed – From the new field to the dual-story classrooms.  All the additions were impressive.”

Q: Any advice for fellow alums?

A: “Don’t be afraid to connect to your roots.  Everything is everything; the more you make yourself available to your home roots, the better product Saints will continue to put out.”

Q: Any words of wisdom for current Saintsmen?

A: “Soak up all the knowledge that you can from each and every situation.  Be patient–understand that there are a limited amount of genuine, good people that you’ll meet in life.  Believe it or not, a big portion of those people will come from this era of your life.  Value these bonds.”