***Read the Rivals story on Michael Gilchrist here.
St. Patrick’s run to the Tournament of Champions crown just got a little tougher.
That’s because Michael Gilchrist, a 6-foot-7 sophomore ranked No. 1 among small forwards in the Class of 2011 by Rivals, broke his foot on the last play of practice Friday.
“He didn’t make a big fussĀ out of it,” St. Patrick coach Kevin Boyle said Sunday by phone. “We thought it was a light sprain. They went to the ER to get it checked and he’ s in a soft cast. They’re going to see an expert Monday.”
Boyle said it’s unlikely Gilchrist would play again this season.
“We have no idea right now how severe it is and how long it is. Even if it’s a light fracture, for all intents and purposes you’re looking at the end of the year.
“He’s a sophomore so hopefully he gets more chances to get to the counties and the Tournament of Champions.”
Gilchrist is being recruited by many top programs in the nation and his mother, Cindy Richardson, recently told me his top five included Villanova, Memphis, UConn, Rutgers and Virginia.
Without Gilchrist, top-seeded St. Patrick still routed Roselle 75-37 Saturday night in the Union County Tournament quarterfinals behind 24 points from junior guard Kyrie Irving. The Celtics advanced Tuesday night’s semifinal meeting with No. 5 Linden at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth.
In other tragic St. Patrick news, Boyle’s older brother, Neil, passed away after a long battle with cancer.
“It’s for the best,” Boyle said. “It was eating him up inside.”
Boyle said he likely wouldn’t coach in the semifinal game as a result.
“I don’t think I’ll be there Tuesday,” Boyle said.