St. Peter’s will face St. Joseph by-the-Sea in the final of the Borough President Vito Fossella SIHSL Tournament on Thursday evening at Petrides High School. This matchup carries historical significance for both teams. A victory for St. Peter’s would mark their eighth consecutive tournament title, continuing a remarkable run over the past decade. Conversely, a win for St. Joseph by-the-Sea would see them become the first school to secure both boys’ and girls’ borough tournament titles in the same season since the tournament’s inception three years ago.
The anticipation builds among fans, especially after the closely contested meeting between the teams on January 15, where St. Peter’s narrowly won 57–56. This thrilling encounter showcased the talent of both squads and set the stage for an exciting final. The standout player for St. Peter’s, Nico Parlanti, emerged as a key figure in their previous victory, scoring a career-high 21 points. His dramatic go-ahead basket with just 5.8 seconds left on the clock made for a memorable Senior Night.
Parlanti has continued his impressive form into the final, highlighted by a clutch performance in the semifinals against Monsignor Farrell. After a slow start in that game, he rallied to score 12 of his 14 points in the decisive fourth quarter, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure. His evolution from a sixth man last season to a primary scoring option has been a pivotal development for St. Peter’s.
On the opposing side, John Paturzo of St. Joseph by-the-Sea will be tasked with challenging Parlanti. While he struggled defensively in their earlier matchup, Paturzo has demonstrated his capabilities in the semifinals against Susan Wagner. He successfully contained Jaques Award candidate Chris Albano, limiting the talented guard to just seven points after a previous 27-point outing. Paturzo’s defensive tenacity will be crucial as he aims to neutralize St. Peter’s top scorer.
St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s head coach, Mike Cortese, spoke highly of Paturzo’s contributions, stating, “What he does on the court is unbelievable; he does it all. He defends the other team’s best player, he gets into the paint, he rebounds.” His defensive prowess will be vital if the Vikings are to clinch their historic title.
Meanwhile, St. Peter’s coach, Ryan Woods, expressed confidence in his senior leader, saying, “He’s the only senior we have on the roster and we rely on him heavily. He’s taken on this leadership role, and when times get difficult, Nico steps up.” The stakes are high for both teams as they vie for glory in this championship matchup.
As the final approaches, numerous storylines emerge. St. Peter’s hopes to ride the momentum of Parlanti’s scoring ability, while St. Joseph by-the-Sea looks to leverage Paturzo’s defensive skills. Fans are eager for what promises to be a thrilling showdown, as both teams aim to etch their names in the tournament’s history.
With so much on the line, the final is poised to be a classic that will resonate within the Staten Island basketball community for years to come.
