It was in February 1954 and teams from all Catholic schools from throughout New England were set to compete in a heavily competitive tourney at the CCHS Gym.
This tourney lasted 3 days and nights and included two divisions.
Central with the fabled Coach Brother Tim formerly of New York brought his team with an 18 win and 1 loss looking to capture their 2nd win in this tourney which would allow them to retire the championship trophy.
The locals have been very successful in this always sold out extravaganza. The red & blue have reached the finals 4 times in the last 4 years and won the title in 1951 and 1952. They are the favorites this year they are the only team whose name is engraved on the winning cup twice.
Leo Trotochaud of the Sacred Heart section in So. Lawrence and now CCHS Hall of Famer is the team captain and plays at lf. Jimmy Dyer is the rf, Ernie Noble at 6’3″ is the local’s big man and the c. Kenny McLean is at left guard, and Bobby (deacon) Flynn at left. They are the starters Roland La Roche, and future all time great Don Tremblay who whenever a good guard shows in the area the question is always asked, “Is he as good as Tremblay?” The answer is usually no. He was a guard and so was Al Butterworth called Butsy.
Noonie Costello of the Shawsheen Road area was also a guard and a tremendous pitcher for Central’s baseball team.
Gerry Gagnon a rare 4 sport star at the Auburn St School recently passed away at a much too young age and was Mr. Personality to all who knew him. His family still lives in the area.
Bob Topping of the West St. area who later goes to and stars at Brown University and Joe Torname fill out the roster for the locals.
Captain Trotchaud called Hum and I can’t think of why; Mc Lean and Flynn are the only seniors on this squad.
The school in 1954 had 825 boys enrolled.
This year’s team features every player that played and graduated from the CCHS Grammar League that plays 350-400 boys each Saturday.
Flynn, Costello and Gagnon are 17 years old while the rest of the team is sixteen.
The Following is the CYO Youth Prayer
Give me clean hands, clean words, and clean thoughts.
Help me to stand for the hard right against the easy wrong.
Save me from the habits that harm.
Teach me to work hard and to play as fair.
In Thy sight alone, as if all the world saw.
Forgive me when I’m unkind and help me to forgive those who are unkind to me.
Keep me ready to help others at some cost to myself.
Send me chances to do a little good each day, and so grow more like Christ.
It was the start of the CYO Catholic Tourney in February 1954.
