Blessed Trinity High School boys were 74-40 winners in their Nov. 28 home opener against Roswell neighbor Fellowship Christian School. Junior guard Tyler Cerone led the team with 17 points and junior forward Ryan Aquino grabbed 10 rebounds. The team is off to its best start at 5-1.

Prior to the game, special recognition was given to Kevin Mann, the Blessed Trinity teacher and coach who died of colon cancer last June. The 59-year-old Mann served as varsity tennis coach, head coach for the freshman basketball team, and assistant coach for the varsity basketball team. He also taught social studies at the school. Standing in front of the scorers table, Blessed Trinity fifth-year varsity basketball head coach Brian Marks addressed Mann’s family and the crowd on hand saying, “In just two years, he (Mann) greatly impacted everyone that he came in contact with. He was a passionate social studies teacher, an energetic tennis coach and an outstanding basketball coach. He exhibited enthusiasm, extensive knowledge, and integrity in everything he did. He was a mentor, a friend, and a dedicated worker. He cherished his family, his job, his country and his church.”

With that, Marks announced that the boys basketball program is dedicating its season at all levels to Coach Mann. The gymnasium was also dedicated to Mann for the season, and a sign was unveiled on the wall reading, “Welcome to the Kevin Mann Memorial Gymnasium.” The program concluded with the team and coaches presenting a bouquet of flowers to Mann’s tearful widow Kathy and his daughter Seannin.