Gryphons Emerge Victorious at Gryphon Goblet Tournament

 

Round One: Strong Starts for BISB and CSW
In the first round, the Commonwealth School boys and girls teams faced off against BISB. The BISB boys dominated the court, emerging victorious with a solid 51-30 win, while the BISB girls team edged out Commonwealth 19-16 in a closely contested game. Both BISB teams advanced to the finals, securing their spots with strong performances.

Meanwhile, The CSW Boys' Varsity basketball team faced off against the Newman School on Friday night. CSW started strong with a three-pointer from Gabe Oxenberg '26 and never looked back. Defense dominated early for both teams, with the Gryphons leading 18-10 at halftime. In the second half, CSW came out firing on all cylinders. Ninth grader Nathan Niu '28 and Brenden Fortes '28 anchored the defense, while a balanced scoring effort helped the Gryphons extend their lead to as much as 27 points. Tenth grader Sam Kuchler '27 led the team in scoring with 11 points, while eleventh graders Gabe Oxenberg '26 and Manny Cabana '26 each added 9. By the end of the game, eight different players contributed to the scoring, and the team racked up an impressive 17 steals. The Gryphons secured a decisive 51-34 victory, advancing to the finals against BISB.

The Girls Varsity team's first game, had an explosive start, outscoring Newman 12-0 in the first quarter. Nia Fifield '27 played a key role in setting the tone, aggressively driving to the basket early and drawing fouls that helped put the opposing team on edge. Ella Meshoulam’s '25 defensive energy was crucial, as she played with active hands, causing multiple steals and turnovers that fueled the offense. On the offensive end, Gilliam Lamb '26 was instrumental in transition, finishing key fast breaks and helping extend the lead. Mary Hermo '25 was the defensive standout of the game, effectively shutting down Newman’s best player and preventing her from getting into a rhythm. With a well-rounded team effort, CSW controlled the game from start to finish, securing a dominant 36-8 win. The team’s combination of composed offense and aggressive defense proved too much for Newman to handle, setting a strong tone for the rest of the tournament. With these victories, both CSW teams earned their place in the finals.

Consolation Round: Close Contests
In the consolation round, Commonwealth School battled The Newman School in both the boys and girls divisions. The Commonwealth girls came out on top, winning 26-16, while the Newman boys secured a 57-42 victory over Commonwealth to finish strong in the consolation matchups.

The Finals: CSW Grabs the Trophy
The championship finals brought an exciting conclusion to the tournament, with CSW’s boys and girls teams facing BISB in both matchups for the coveted Gryphon Goblet Trophy.

The girls' final was a nail-biting contest, with both teams playing fiercely for the title. CSW entered their championship game against BISB with confidence, opening the first quarter with a 10-2 lead sparked by a quick 10-point scoring run. With the team missing two of their key centers, Avery Busiek '26 stepped up and had a significant impact on both ends of the floor. She provided strong defense, particularly against BISB’s post players, preventing easy post entries and making key stops in the paint. The team held a comfortable 17-4 lead at halftime, but BISB wasn’t going to go down without a fight. In the second half, BISB came out with more intensity, focusing on attacking the basket and trying to close the gap. However, CSW responded with key three-pointers from Nia Fifield and excellent all-around team defense. The team’s gritty effort on both sides of the ball kept BISB from taking control of the game, and CSW held on for a hard-fought 30-26 victory securing the Gryphon Goblet title. This win highlighted the team’s ability to adjust under pressure, as well as the individual contributions of players like Avery and Nia, who stepped up when the game got tight.

The boys varsity basketball team faced off against the Bulldogs from the British International School of Boston. The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with the Gryphons holding a five-point lead at the break. The second half started much like the first, as the Bulldogs clawed their way back to within three points. However, a few minutes in, CSW’s press began to dominate, forcing multiple turnovers that led to fast-break points. The Gryphons were powered by outstanding performances from eleventh graders Rayan Jounaidi '26 and Thomas Chen '26. Jounaidi delivered an all-around effort with seven points, nine rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a block. Chen contributed 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Similar to the night before, the Gryphons found another gear in the second half, pulling away to a double-digit lead. Sophomore Sam Kuchler once again led the team in scoring with 15 points. CSW also displayed excellent ball movement, assisting 16 of their 26 made baskets. The game concluded with a 57-42 victory, earning CSW their second Gryphon Goblet title in the past three years.

Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and supporters who made this event such a memorable experience. A special congratulations goes to the CSW boys and girls teams for their impressive victories and for bringing the Gryphon Goblet trophy home. We look forward to next year’s tournament and the continued growth of this exciting tradition at CSW.