St.Margaret/St. Gabriel wins Bronx championship

On Saturday, Saint Margaret-St. Gabriel (SMSG) Tyro faced off against Saint Barnabas Tyro in the CYO Bronx Championship at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This matchup was more than just a title game—it was the latest chapter in one of the borough’s fiercest rivalries, known for its intense battles and storied history.

SMSG Tyro is led by head coach Sean Brown, alongside assistant coaches Sean Reilly, Brian Abramson and Julio Olaizola. Coach Brown has been a driving force within the program, making an immediate impact from the moment he joined the coaching staff. In his first year as an assistant, he worked alongside Coaches Reilly and Abramson to lead the Bantams team to a championship victory over St. Gabriel—a year before the merger that created SMSG. The previous season, Coach Reilly had guided the team to the Bronx championship game, coming just three points short against a talented Saint Raymond’s squad.

Coach Olaizola, on the other hand, was on the opposite side of that final St. Gabriel championship game before the school closed. That emotional battle came down to the final possessions, but St. Gabriel ultimately fell just short. However, what followed was something special—Coach Olaizola joined forces with Coaches Brown and Reilly, forming a powerhouse coaching staff. Together, they led SMSG to its first championship under the new banner, guiding the third- and fourth-grade team to an undefeated season and a Bronx title victory over Saint Barnabas.

Now, in his first year as the JV head coach, Brown has continued SMSG’s winning tradition, capturing yet another Bronx championship while maintaining an undefeated record for the second straight season alongside Coaches Reilly, Olaizola, and Abramson. Under his leadership, SMSG has cemented itself as one of the premier programs in the Bronx CYO league.

SMSG Tyro never trailed in their 36-21 victory over Saint Barnabas on Saturday.

Sean (#5) led the team with 11 points, helping SMSG Tyro establish control early. Up in the first quarter, they unleashed a dominant 9-0 run. By halftime, SMSG Tyro held a commanding 22-8 lead and never looked back.

The first quarter set the tone, as SMSG Tyro outscored Saint Barnabas 14-6 behind strong offensive execution and relentless defense. They suffocated their opponents on the defensive end, tallying 16 steals and four blocked shots. Their dominance extended to the glass as well, where they controlled the paint with 34 rebounds—Rocco (#21) leading the way with 14 boards.

Beyond Sean’s sharpshooting, which included three three-pointers, several players stepped up. Gabriel (#3) provided a much-needed offensive spark with 9 points, attacking the defense with confidence. Rocco (#21) added 6 points in the paint, where he also dominated the boards. Defensively, Logan (#13) and Kaiyan (#24) were key in forcing turnovers, each racking up multiple steals. Miguel (#25) and Liam (#30) contributed hustle plays that helped SMSG control the tempo, while Bryce A. (#4) made his presence felt with crucial rebounds and defensive stops. Hunter (#23) provided valuable minutes, bringing energy and determination on the defensive end. Lukas (#34), Reggie (#32), Lucas (#42), and Alejandro (#12) helped close out the game, sealing the victory with excitement and relief as SMSG Tyro secured the championship.

SMSG’s coaching staff made key defensive adjustments early, focusing on disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots. Their strategy paid off, forcing Saint Barnabas into multiple turnovers that led to easy transition baskets. Offensively, SMSG’s disciplined ball movement created open looks, allowing them to capitalize from beyond the arc and in the paint.

With back-to-back undefeated seasons and another championship under their belt, SMSG Tyro has established itself as a Bronx powerhouse. But for Coach Brown and his team, the work is far from over. As they look ahead to next season, one thing is clear—SMSG is building a legacy, and they have no plans of slowing down.