Holy Trinity boys basketball's Tristan Thomas scores 26 points, propels Titans to NSCHSAA title
Holy Trinity players and cheerleaders celebrate with the championship plaque after defeating St. Dominic during the NSCHSAA boys basketball championship game at SUNY Old Westbury on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Credit: Derrick Dingle
After 29 years as an assistant at Holy Trinity, Steve Gnus finally got to move on up to the top spot this season, head coach of the varsity boys basketball team. Joe Conefry had left to take charge at Molloy University, departing as the winningest coach in program history.
“I just kind of didn’t want to mess it up,” Gnus said.
He didn’t mess it up. In fact, Gnus skillfully guided Holy Trinity to first prize in the NSCHSAA.
The second-seeded Titans walked off with a 77-60 victory over No. 4 St. Dominic Friday night in the championship game at SUNY Old Westbury, their first title since 2022.
“I wanted to win for the school, for the guys and even Coach Conefry, who put this team together,” Gnus said. “We wanted to get this done. So it really means a lot.”
Tristan Thomas scored 26 points and walked off with the game’s MVP award.
“Just a great, great player,” Gnus said.
MVP meant a lot to Thomas. But he also called the honor “more of a team thing.” The championship was the biggest thing.
“This year, we especially deserved it,” said the 6-3 senior forward, who has committed to play for his old coach at Molloy. “We worked for this every day, defense, grinding. We deserved this.”
They can now go after one more championship — a state championship. The 22-4 Titans will play in the state CHSAA Class A semifinals Tuesday night on this same court against the winner of Friday night’s game for the city title between St. John’s Prep and St. Joseph by the Sea.
“I like us every time,” Thomas said. “This is one of the best teams I’ve played with and one of the greatest coaches.”
St. Dominic coach Isaiah Wilson guided his team to the final for the second straight season, but it had to settle for being the runner-up again.
“It’s frustrating,” Wilson said. “It’s disappointing. But we can just continue to build.”
The Bayhawks (18-9) had the NSCHSAA Offensive Player of the Year on their side. Holy Trinity needed someone to try to guard senior point guard Melo Mojeed, averaging 21.8 points.
Any volunteers?
How about Ryan Reid?
The junior point guard wanted the challenge.
“In the semifinal game [against St. Mary’s], I asked to guard Hank Williams and I shut him down,” Reid said. “So I knew if I shut the other player down on this team, Melo Mojeed, we’ve got a good chance of winning this game. And now we’re champs.”
Mojeed scored 21. But 10 came in the final four minutes after Reid, who also contributed 12 points, had to be helped off due to a calf cramp with the Titans up by 20.
“Unbelievable [job],” Gnus said. “He asked to guard him, said he would chase him around, try to prevent him from even catching the ball because Melo is so good.”
Holy Trinity trailed 5-3, then took off behind its defense, going on a 14-0 run. Four straight turnovers led to the final four baskets, capped by a three from Jagger Verzosa, who scored 16.
The margin moved to 18 in the second quarter, and Holy Trinity led 35-19 at halftime.
Then Thomas tipped off the third quarter with his own 6-0 run. The lead was 22.
The Bayhawks had rallied from 17 down in the third to beat Chaminade in the semis, but they couldn’t get closer than 14 this time.
“It seemed like we didn’t have any legs,” Wilson said. “Potentially, the comeback from last game could’ve definitely taken a lot out of us. But you can’t make any excuses.”
