Now that football is officially over until games once again start to count in September (only 31 weeks till opening weekend!), you’re going to need something to fill the void on Sundays.
It can be hard going through that kind of withdrawal in the first couple weeks, especially when you’re a Patriots fan and they always play deep into the playoffs – if not the final game of the season like three of the last four years.
And while we don’t have a week to week substitute lined up for you moving forward, we do have something that will help you get through this weekend at least.
The Frank Monahan Foundation is hosting a basketball showcase on Sunday at Bishop Brady featuring five games – four between New England prep schools and one NHIAA Division II match-up of rivals Bishop Brady and Pembroke.
Three of the eight prep schools are currently ranked in the top 10 nationally, and four are from right here in New Hampshire.
“It’s going to be a phenomenal day of basketball,” said Marshall Crane, president of the Frank Monahan Foundation.
The day kicks off at noon with Brewster Academy taking on Proctor Academy. Brewster, coached by Monahan Foundation board member Jason Smith, is currently No. 6 in the country and has won five national prep titles since 2010. They also currently boast six NCAA Division I commits.
“Year in, year out, they put a team together that will compete for a national title,” Crane said. “They’re just a fun team to watch.”
Woodstock Academy (Conn.) is ranked second in the country and will play Lee Academy out of Maine at 1:30 p.m.
Bishop Brady and Pembroke square off at 3:15 p.m. in a rematch of this season’s opening night contest, won by Pembroke 60-47.
New Hampton Prep takes on Putnam Science, No. 5 in the nation, at 4:45 p.m., followed by Notre Dame Prep and Bridgton Academy (Maine) at 6:15 p.m. to round out the day.
“Because there are a lot of uncommitted players, we’re expecting a lot of Division I and D-II coaches to be there,” Crane said. “The talent level is unbelievable to have under one roof. This isn’t New York City or Chicago, this is Concord, New Hampshire.”
At halftime of the fourth and fifth games of the day, middle school players from Cap City Basketball will play a pair of five-minute intersquad games to entertain the crowds.
Prior to the Bishop Brady-Pembroke game, Pembroke assistant coach Joe Drinon will be honored with the Frank Monahan Foundation Coaches Legend Award, which will help assist funding for the Boys & Girls Club summer sports program.
Tickets for the day are $10 for adults and $5 for children, and will count toward admission for all five games. Special rates are available for local teams who want to attend.
There will be a silent auction with lots of great Boston sports memorabilia available. All proceeds from the event will benefit the James Ceriello Scholarship.
“The scholarship helps pay for a member of the Boys and Girls Club to go to Bishop Brady tuition free for four years,” Crane said.
Last year’s event was canceled due to weather, so let’s hope Mother Nature cooperates this time around. Pretty please.
For more, visit frankmonahanfoundation.org or email marshall@frankmonahanfoundation.org.
