The Archbishop Stepinac High School Crusaders lifted the Catholic High School Athletic Association city intersectional trophy for the fourth consecutive season, the first time four-peat in the competition’s 123-year history. 

The Crusaders defeated the Cardinal Hayes High School Cardinals 72-59 at Fordham University’s Rose Hill Gymnasium on Sunday. 

“’Iconic’ is the word to me, and I think the proof is in the way they did it — winning hard, winning through breaks, through adversity over the last couple of years,” Stepinac Head Coach Patrick Massaroni said after his team’s victory. 

Unlike the archdiocesan title, which Stepinac won over Hayes on February 21, the city intersectional competition sees teams from the Archdiocese of New York play against their Diocese of Brooklyn rivals. The two teams left standing at the end of each playoff series were the same: Stepinac and Hayes. 

Business as usual 

Stepinac’s All-League MVP and Michigan State commit, Jasiah Jervis, returned to the lineup Sunday after missing most of the archdiocesan final with an ankle injury.  

Tight defense by both teams kept it close throughout the first quarter, with Stepinac leading 17-13 at its end. But what distinguishes Stepinac’s play is its focus on fundamentals, namely rebounding and solid ball movement. Despite Hayes’ best efforts, too often their passes were met by a hand belonging to Adonis or Darius Ratliff, or a Ratliff waiting beneath the basket to grab a missed shot. The USC-committed brothers combined for 33 points and 19 rebounds. The half ended with Stepinac leading 37-27, ironically the same halftime margin as their archdiocesan final matchup.  

READ: Three Stepinac Basketball Stars Named to 2026 McDonald’s All American Team 

Those 10 points were as close as Hayes got, despite their talent and determination. Halfway through the third quarter, Stepinac junior Josh Rivera drew a foul on another three-pointer that dropped, completing the four-point play with a free throw, and Stepinac was gone.  

Rivera has become a joy to watch, especially over the last two finals. His comfort and confidence behind the three-point line matches that of any of his All-American teammates. 

Hope for Hayes 

To Hayes’ great credit, the team never appeared frustrated or intimidated, even when the game’s outcome was certain. The Cardinals could have taken more three-point shots in the second half, which is certainly in their players’ range. 

Despite their second double-digit defeat by Stepinac in just over two weeks, there was no shame in the loss. Hayes faced Stepinac four times this season – twice during the regular season, and in two championship games. While the Bronx school went 0-4 in that series, especially in the intersectional final, they kept their cool and played to their potential. It was junior Brice Yancey who turned in the game’s top performance, with 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, outscoring Stepinac’s team leader Adonis Ratliff, who had 21. 

WATCH: Arch Schools Spotlight: Cardinal Hayes High School 

 The future for Coach Joe Lods’ team is bright. His core players, Yancey, Amadou Barry, and Malik Fields, are all returning next season. This Hayes squad’s best days remain ahead of it. 

Stepinac’s Crusaders will now face the winner of the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) championship, for the all-city title, of which the White Plains school is the current holder, on March 22 at 5 p.m., at Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus gymnasium