Catholic College Sale Shines at the 2025 Marist Basketball Carnival

The 2025 Marist Basketball Carnival proved to be an outstanding showcase of talent, teamwork, and determination for Catholic College Sale. Both the Boys and Girls teams delivered impressive performances throughout the competition, securing third-place finishes against strong opposition from across the country.

This year, the Marist Basketball Carnival brought together 34 teams from Marist schools across Australia, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and competitive excellence. CCS entered the tournament with high hopes and demonstrated skill, resilience, and teamwork over the course of the event.

Day 1

CCS set the tone for the tournament with commanding performances in their opening matches. The Girls team took on Sacred Heart Adelaide, securing a hard-fought 38-30 victory, with Tayli Dimarco leading the way with 21 points. The Boys faced Assumption College Kilmore, coming out on top with a 50-36 win, thanks to standout performances from Jimmy Little (15 points) and Jack McQuillen (14 points).

Later in the day, both teams continued their strong form. The Girls dominated Trinity Beenleigh (40-22), with Tayli Dimarco again leading the scoreboard with 21 points, supported by Brooke Kelly’s 8 points. The Boys staged a comeback to defeat St Augustine’s Cairns (59-44), with Phoenix Cox (17 points), Elijh Berry (14 points), and Fabian Vera (14 points) making key contributions.

Day 2

The second day saw both teams extend their winning streaks. The Girls outclassed Newman College Perth with a convincing 40-18 win, where Tayli Dimarco (9 points), Chloe Felsbourg (7 points), and Chloe Rees (6 points) played pivotal roles. The Boys secured a statement victory against Marist College Ashgrove, winning 68-39, led by Jack McQuillen (19 points), Phoenix Cox (14 points), Jimmy Little (11 points), and Elijh Berry (11 points).

With these results, both teams finished Day 2 undefeated at the top of their pools, securing strong positions for the knockout rounds.

Quarter-Finals

CCS continued their dominance in the quarter-finals. The Girls overcome Marist-Sion Warragul with a 94-29 victory, showcasing their depth with nine players contributing to the scoreboard. They advanced to the semi-finals against Cardijn College (SA).

The Boys also put on an impressive display, defeating St John’s Woodlawn 84-26. Elijh Berry (18 points), Phoenix Cox (17 points), and Jimmy Little (13 points) played key roles in the victory, setting up a semi-final clash against Trinity College Beenleigh.

Semi-Finals

Both teams faced fierce opposition in the semi-finals. The Boys fought tough against reigning champions St Gregory’s Campbelltown but fell short in a hard-fought contest. Meanwhile, the Girls battled Lavalla College, ultimately going down 50-63 in a tightly contested match, despite strong performances from Tayli Dimarco (21 points), Chloe Rees (9 points), and Lexi Doherty.

3rd Place Playoff

Determined to finish the tournament on a high note, both teams entered their final matches ready to compete.

The Boys took on Lavalla Catholic College in a thrilling contest, securing a 57-54 victory. Elijh Berry led the scoring with 15 points, while Phoenix Cox (11 points) and Jimmy Little (10 points) played crucial supporting roles. The win marked a significant improvement from last year’s 5th-place finish and reinforced CCS’s position as a top contender.

The Girls faced Sacred Heart Adelaide in their final game, securing a well-earned 40-31 victory. Despite intense pressure from their opponents, CCS held firm, with Chloe Rees (12 points), Tayli Dimarco (8 points), and Brooke Kelly (7 points) leading the charge. This victory cemented the Girls’ impressive third-place finish, with their semi-final match against Lavalla worthy of a grand final showdown.

Individual and Team Achievements

  • Champagnat Medallists: Jack McQuillen and Chloe Felsbourg were recognised for best embodying the spirit of Marcellin Champagnat through their leadership and sportsmanship.
  • MVPs: Tayli Dimarco and Phoenix Cox were named team MVPs for their consistent high-level performances throughout the Carnival.
  • Marist X Team Selections: Three CCS students were selected for the prestigious ‘Marist X’ team, recognising their outstanding contributions over the course of the tournament.

We would like to thank Head Coaches Mr Josh Stubbe and Ms Kelly Burgiel for their expertise and passion, which were instrumental in the teams’ success. A special thanks also to Assistant Coaches Mr Rodney Curtis (Girls team), Mr Cooper Lett (Boys team), and Mr Ron Crawford for their dedication and support in preparing the teams for competition. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Team Manager, Mr Jamie Murphy for his invaluable assistance throughout the tournament.