Resolution 250168

..Title Honoring the Father Judge High School Boys' Basketball Team for winning the 2025 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship and celebrating their remarkable achievement. ..Body WHEREAS, The Father Judge High School Crusaders have demonstrated exceptional determination, resilience, and teamwork in capturing the 2025 Philadelphia Catholic League Basketball Championship, ending a 27-year championship drought and bringing immense pride to their school and the Northeast Philadelphia community; and WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Roantree and Assistant Coach Jim Reeves, who both played on Judge's last championship team in 1998, the Crusaders executed a remarkable four-year rebuilding plan that transformed a program that had gone 2-12 in league play into Catholic League champions; and WHEREAS, The Crusaders demonstrated exceptional resilience and competitive spirit in their championship victory, overcoming an early 10-point deficit against Roman Catholic, the league's preeminent powerhouse seeking its 35th championship and third consecutive title, ultimately prevailing 41-34 in a defensive showcase at the historic Palestra; and WHEREAS, Senior guard Kevair Kennedy, senior center Everett Barnes, and teammates Derrick Morton-Rivera, Rocco Westfield, Nazir Tyler, Max Moshinski, and the entire Crusaders roster embodied the values of perseverance, teamwork, and mutual trust, with Kennedy's leadership and clutch performance, Barnes' defensive dominance, and significant contributions from all team members proving essential to their championship success; and WHEREAS, The Father Judge High School community, including students, faculty, alumni, and Northeast Philadelphia residents, provided tremendous support throughout the season, filling the Palestra with a sea of blue on championship Sunday and creating what Coach Roantree described as an atmosphere comparable to "the Eagles winning the Super Bowl" for the Northeast Philadelphia community; and WHEREAS, This legislative body recognizes the Father Judge High School Crusaders for their historic achievement and commends their ability to represent their school and community with excellence, dignity and determination; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and congratulates the Father Judge High School Boys' Basketball Team for their outstanding achievement in winning the 2025 Philadelphia Catholic League Basketball Championship, celebrating their resilience, teamwork, and dedication that brought a championship back to Solly Avenue after 27 years. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Father Judge High School as a symbol of the City Council's sincere admiration and appreciation for their inspiring accomplishment. ..End