Stepinac basketball facing potential CHSAA sanctions over final game

Pigott declined to comment on the alleged rules violations and potential sanctions.

Massaroni explained in March his team’s participation in the Chipotle Nationals was contingent upon winning the Mayor’s Cup against PSAL champion Eagle Academy-Bronx. The letter says the school accepted the invitation before that March 22 game at LIU Brooklyn tipped off, and since Eagle Academy did not have an invitation to play on if it had upset the Crusaders, the Chipotle Nationals event was not considered an extension of the season.

Carty did not return a message seeking comment.

Stepinac coach Patrick Massaroni celebrates with his team after defeating Cardinal Hayes 72-59 in the CHSAA AA championship game at Fordham University in the Bronx March 8, 2026.

The sanctions recommended by the executive committee include a two-year period of probation for all Archbishop Stepinac athletic programs. Any violation could result in a one-year league suspension for the program and its coach. Next is an eight-game suspension of Massaroni for league contests. The Crusaders would also be prohibited from playing varsity games or scrimmages outside the state of New York next season and all Stepinac basketball teams (Varsity B, JV and freshmen) would be banned from the 2027 CHSAA playoffs.

Massaroni has been instructed not to comment on the situation.

It’s unclear what the next step is. The recommendations have to be approved by the league’s Chief Administrators’ Council. That group is chaired by Sacred Heart principal Kyle O’Donnell, who did not return phone calls seeking clarification on a timetable.

Both sides have consulted with lawyers.

Massaroni was recently offered the head coaching job at IMG Academy, which is a boarding school in Bradenton, Florida. where athletic development is emphasized. He declined and on Friday received a standing ovation during the annual Stepinac gala at Westchester Country Club when the school announced he would be returning.

“They were first-class with the offer, with the process,” said Massaroni, who guided the Crusaders to a 26-5 season and the No. 16 ranking in the final ESPN boys high school basketball top 25. "I cannot say anything bad about how well that place is run. It’s like a college job in a high school landscape.”

Massaroni decided he wasn’t ready to leave the program or his extended family to climb the ladder. He’s brought significant alumni support into the school over the years, so an improved financial arrangement was likely part of the conversation. Massaroni declined to say whether he got a raise.

“A number of things factored into my decision,” he said. “Obviously, IMG is a prestigious job but after losing my dad a year and a half ago, the family dynamic we have in this area was part of it. Plus, we talk all the time about family values and culture, so I felt I would be going against what we preach every single day to our students and their families.”

The Crusaders will graduate nine seniors next month, including three McDonald’s All-Americans.

Jasiah Jervis (Michigan State), Adonis Ratliff (USC), Darius Ratliff (USC), Hassan Koureissi (Fordham) and Dylan Perry (Monmouth) are heading to Division I programs.

After he passed on the IMG offer, Massaroni said his top returning player, Josh Rivera, confirmed he would return to Stepinac for his senior year.

Mike Dougherty covers high school basketball for The Journal News/lohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Stepinac basketball facing potential CHSAA sanctions over final game