The Archbishop Stepinac High School Crusaders wasted no time in the new year indicating that they plan to win trophies in 2025, first outlasting Iona Preparatory School at the Crusader Classic, and then downing St. Raymond High School for Boys away in the Bronx, 67-64.

The January 7 game was a rematch of 2024’s archdiocesan “AA” division final, which the St. Ray’s Ravens won, and in which many of Tuesday night’s starters on both teams played.

As is becoming their style, Stepinac started slow, trailing by as many as nine points in the first quarter. St. Ray’s led 18-10 at the buzzer, powered by strong defense. St. Ray’s got into team foul trouble early.

Stepinac team captain Danny Carbuccia sent a message a minute into the second quarter, with a steal and conversion that shifted the game’s momentum. A St. Ray’s shot clock violation was followed soon after by a steal and put-back by Stepinac’s Josiah Jervis. The White Plains team pulled even at 2:20, and the two teams traded leads before ending the half tied at 28.

The Crusaders did not look happy when they emerged from the locker room to start the third quarter, a start that saw Stepinac’s players failing to grab offensive rebounds, along with poor passing. A steal and dunk by St. Ray’s sophomore Jacob Dyson took the score to 35-28 and ignited the home crowd.

From that point on, the Crusaders began their comeback, led by Hassan Koureissi in the field and at the free-throw line. By the end of the third quarter, Stepinac had taken the lead, 47-44.

Just under two minutes into the fourth quarter, Stepinac led 52-44, but St. Ray’s worked to keep it close, with a dunk by Brandon Stores Jr. bringing the score to 54-48.

At about the five-minute mark, a Koureissi three saw the St. Ray’s Ravens begin to lose their composure. Koureissi’s confidence propelled the Crusaders. “They’re not coming back,” observed one Ravens fan with 2:30 to play.

Not so fast. Stores Jr. helped pull the Ravens to within one, 63-62, with 1:13 to play, but Carbuccia added two before both teams traded turnovers. With under 15 seconds, Koureissi iced it with two free throws to end 67-64. He finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Teammate Jasiah Jervis added 15 points with eight rebounds and three assists.

Stepinac have now won five of their last six games and are 3-0 in their division, having knocked off their two top rivals for this season in the last four days.

Both teams are back at it on Friday night. St. Ray’s stays at home to face Iona Prep; Stepinac heads back to White Plains to host Monsignor Scanlan.

The two teams meet again at Archbishop Stepinac on January 17.