CBA Makes a Statement in Win Over Hudson Catholic

Christian Brothers Academy didn’t just win on Saturday afternoon they made a statement. With a 62–39 blowout of Hudson Catholic, CBA punched its ticket into the statewide conversation, delivering a performance that looked every bit like a team ready to climb the rankings and stay there.

From the opening tip, the Colts played with pace, physicality, and purpose. Under Brian Lynch, CBA has embraced an identity built on pressure defense and quick decision-making, and it showed in waves. Hudson Catholic managed just two points in the first quarter, a stretch that set the tone for the entire game and forced the Hawks to chase from the start.

CBA’s balance was overwhelming. Avery Lynch led the way with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Izayah Cooper controlled the game’s rhythm, finishing with 13 points and six assists. Every lineup CBA rolled out applied the same pressure contesting shots, cutting off lanes, and turning stops into points. By halftime, the gap was already decisive. By the fourth quarter, it was clear the Colts were playing on a different level.

The win also carried added meaning given the shared history between the programs. Hudson Catholic is navigating a new chapter of its own, while longtime Hawks head coach Nick Marinello now serves as CBA’s athletic director. On this day, though, it was Lynch’s imprint that stood out most. The same defensive backbone and edge that defined his success at St. Rose now firmly embedded in the CBA culture.

After the game, Cooper spoke about what this win represented beyond the scoreboard. “This was a big statement win to get some respect across Jersey,” Cooper said. “Coach did a great job all summer and fall with nonstop workouts and lifts. A lot of our defense is turning into buckets on offense, and holding a team to two points in a quarter gives you a huge advantage.”

That chemistry, Cooper explained, has been built long before the season tipped off “we’ve bonded a lot on and off the court — pasta parties, dinners with alumni, early Mass on game days. We went to Pittsburgh in the fall and went 3–0, beating teams like Archbishop Wood and Roman Catholic. Those games showed us how good we can be.”

For Cooper, the transition into this program felt seamless. “The mindset coming from St. Rose was always to play tough, defend, and win. It’s been the same here. Everyone at CBA wants us to win, and we came here to be part of that process. Not much has changed — just the teammates and the school.”

At 3–0, Christian Brothers Academy is no longer flying under the radar. This was a loud, deliberate step forward — a program blending discipline, chemistry, and confidence into something that’s quickly becoming dangerous. And if Saturday was any indication, CBA isn’t just chasing rankings — they’re positioning themselves to reshape them.