STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — St. Joseph by-the-Sea head coach Tressor Baptiste insists last year’s CHSFL AA-1 title holds little value now — other than proving his 2025 squad is more battle-tested.

“It’s always tough (to defend),” said Baptiste, now in his fourth season in Huguenot. “Every opponent gives you their best shot when you’re the defending champs. But our kids embrace that challenge. They understand that last year doesn’t win you anything this year; you have to earn it all over again.”

And that’s exactly what top-seeded Sea will try to do Saturday when it faces No. 2 Xavier at 11 a.m. at Fordham University in the Bronx for all the marbles.

Baptiste’s crew is riding a stingy defense into the game, having allowed single digits in points in three of their last four games. The only tilt

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