Chiarello headed to CYO Hoops Hall

He led the CYO in scoring, rebounding and was named the Most Valuable Player as he led St. Joachim’s to an unblemished 17-0 regular season record.

Chiarello’s performance back then was memorable and deserving of induction into the Mercer County CYO Basketball Hall of Fame this Sunday at Nottingham Ballroom.

But it’s not the points ,rebounds or records Chiarello takes away from those CYO days. It’s the friendships.

“I grew like seven inches from sixth to the seventh grade,” recalled Chiarello. “You put that together with our excellent point guard Frank Dire, lightning quick Anthony Bucci and our front line of Ralph Greco and Dean Pesarini we had the makings of something special.”

So special that over 40 years later the guys from the tiny gym on Bayard St. still gather to reminisce of those times and also to catch up on their current lives.

“The CYO provided a great opportunity,” Chiarello said. “I was fortunate, they were the best group of guys and coaches that anyone could ask for. To this day we get together to reminisce the old and current times. That is the true definition of team.”

Chiarello will be entering the CYO Hall of Fame with a pretty good team, again.

Deb Zsenak Hart, Rosemary LaMacchia, Fred Dumont, Herman English, Rashawn Glenn, Jim Haggerty Sr., Peter Kelly, Kristin Voorhees Jacobs, Joe Hejda, Steve Maczinko, Alexa Millas, Don Walsh Sr. and Dawn Wolfsgruber will be joining Chiarello in the Hall.

The ceremonies start at 3 p.m. with the dinner and awards set for 4 p.m.

“The CYO provides kids a chance to learn the fundamentals and how to play as a team along with good sportsmanship,” said Chiarello. “The CYO was directly responsible for meeting all the other athletes from other schools that I’m still friends with after 43 years. I have been able to use all the knowledge I gained to coach many teams over the years.”

Before coaching, though, Chiarello was a key in McCorristin’s first state title in school history as it went 27-3.