Corpus Christi's Seventh Grade basketball team waited an entire month to get on the court and play their first game. Snowstorms in December and amended scheduling had the team chomping at the bit to suit up. When the inevitable finally occurred, the boys were treated to a rude road trip and a bitter two point defeat at the buzzer. True to their coach's character, Mike Falotico's battalion marched back onto the court a week later and recorded two consecutive convincing victories en route to a 2-1 record on the season.

Traveling to Floral Park's Our Lady of Victory on December 14, Corpus Christi faced an OLV squad of only seven players. At this level, less means more and Coach Mike knew he had a game on his hands. OLV jumped out to an early margin on the heels of a hot shooting tandem of players. The Christi Crew fought back to a halftime tie behind Camby Cooper's rebounding and Joe Purcell's shooting. The second half was tight but controlled by OLV until the final stages. Trailing by two with seconds to play, Corpus Christi missed critical free throws and failed to get the call on their final putbacks. OLV gained their first win of the year with a 42-40 nailbiter. Cooper had 21 points and 26 rebounds (17 offensive) and Purcell finished with 13 points and 8 boards. Endre Cooper was solid underneath with 8 picks off the shield. The rotation forced John Vacarelli and Dan Gouveia to eat up minutes during foul trouble manning the defensive end with abandon.

The boys returned home the following Saturday to face one of the best programs on the North Shore, St. Peter's. Christi led from the start behind a penetrating zone press that created havoc and turnovers in a 10-2 first quarter advantage. The entire roster participated in the effort with key contributions from the all of the sixth men. Nick Conte spelled the point with two points and five rebounds and Rocco Redmond took to the wing and tossed in three points and 8 rebounds. The second half saw Corpus Christi pull away to a 36-23 victory with stifling defense. TJ Winters led all scorers (9 points and two assists) with Alex Ward alongside threading three dimes and four points. Joe Purcell was steady as the game wore on with six points and four boards as Endre Cooper provided four points of early offense while picking ten off the window. Camby Cooper was once again the story of the game with eight points, 21 rips (15 on the offensive glass) and six blocks. The intimidation factor could not be underestimated in this contest.

Happily playing back to back games, the Maroon Sevens traveled to the hallowed halls of New Hyde Park's Notre Dame Golden Dome. Asleep for the first stanza, ND took a 10-4 lead with a contingent of only 6 players facing the Christies. With only two players making shots against them, Falotico's assistants went to work implementing box and one and triangle and two defenses to thwart the onslaught. Within minutes the Corpi were back in the game and ended the half in a 16-all deadlock. The Red Raiders ran out to a 13-7 third quarter tally to essentially close out the match. Leonard Dul had his best game to date with five rebounds and some near baskets under the frame. Nick Conte was a silent thief with seven steals leading to quick fast break points. Camby led the way with 16 points (ten in the runaway third), Joe Purcell added 8 points and TJ Winters spritzed seven. Rocco Redmond was active at both ends of the court nailing a layup late to cement the victory. Alex Ward finished with four points and a ton of solid screens.

The seventh graders go on another prolonged vacation with their next pair of games on the weekend of January 10. This team is the most athletic in the conferernce and a team whose nucleus has been together for three years behind the tutelage of former city high school hoops prodigy Mike Falotico. The team has depth at all positions and sees three ball handlers on the floor at all times. This year's edition brings added beef to the frontcourt in new member George Braun and is an opponent's worst nightmare with 55 fouls to give every 28 minutes on the floor. The squad combines flash with a blue collar work ethic and puts each and every opponent in the midst of a war. The run and gun philosophy provides serious intensity and an aggressive style that rattles the enemy and forces action. Tickets are available on days of game only and admission costs are free but may require you to bring your own seating if you arrive around game time. .