Archbishop Cordileone stands with Team White and Team Black after the Third Annual Clericus Classic. The annual basketball game, held March 22 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, features archdiocesan clergy, seminarians and staff competing on two teams. Team Black won 50-48 in a contest that went down to the wire. (Photo by Debra Greenblat/Catholic San Francisco)
March 25, 2019
Nicholas Wolfram Smith
Catholic San Francisco
Priests, seminarians, and associates of the Archdiocese of San Francisco battled to the final seconds in the Third Annual Clericus Classic basketball game March 22 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory.
The contest, featuring two teams of clergy, seminarians and archdiocesan staff, pitted Team White, captained by Father Mark Reburiano of St. Isabella, against Team Black, captained by Father Alvin Yu of St. Matthew in San Mateo. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone did the honorary tip-off.
Father Larry Goode, cheered by the crowd as he played guard for Team White, celebrates his 55th priestly ordination anniversary June 13. Also pictured are teammates Rompe Emwalu, a transitional deacon from the Diocese of Honolulu, and St. John of God Parish administrator Father Narcis Kabipi. (Photo by Debra Greenblat/Catholic San Francisco)
The audience cheered their favorites, especially Father Larry Goode of St. Francis of Assisi in East Palo Alto, who was greeted with applause and chants as he entered the game. Father Goode, who played guard for Team White, celebrates his 55th anniversary as a priest on June 13.
Team White lagged behind Team Black much of the game but made a strong push after halftime to tie with less than a minute to go at 48-48. A pair of free throws by Father Alvin Yu put Team Black safely ahead, though, and made the final score 50-48.
Father Yu was the game's top scorer and Father Cameron Faller scored 20 points for Team White.
Jerick Rea, a seminarian for the archdiocese, kisses the Clericus Classic trophy at the end of a hard-fought 50-48 game. Rea played forward for victorious Team Black. (Photo by Debra Greenblat/Catholic San Francisco)