A Season of Growth and Leadership

Will Foley, a senior guard for the Notre Dame boys basketball team, has been making waves this season not just as a scorer but as a playmaker. His dedication to elevating the performance of his teammates has become a central theme in his approach to the game. During a recent home game against Hillsborough, Foley demonstrated his commitment by passing up a three-point shot in the third quarter to set up a teammate for an open look. The move paid off when Angelo Pesce hit the shot, showcasing the kind of selflessness that defines Foley’s leadership.

Foley’s focus on team success is rooted in his desire to make everyone around him better. This philosophy was solidified during his junior year, where he established himself as one of the top players in the CVC. As a dynamic scorer who could break down defenders with his dribble and score from all three levels, Foley knew that his role would evolve in his senior season.

The milestone of reaching 1,000 points came quickly for Foley, achieving it in just the fifth game of his senior season on December 22 against WW-P South. This achievement placed him among the elite in program history, making him the first player since Cartier Bowman in 2018 to reach this mark. For Foley, the goal was clear from the start, as he had tasted varsity action as a freshman and knew he would be playing significant minutes as a sophomore.

“It was awesome,” Foley said, reflecting on the moment. “Everyone that came out to support me meant a lot, and obviously the team being super excited for me. I love those guys in there. But now, looking forward, we’ve just got to start stacking wins.”

Despite the loss to Hillsborough, which dropped Notre Dame to 2-6 on Saturday, the team has shown signs of progress. The Irish are an undersized group that relies on strong defense and fast-paced play. In the game, Notre Dame put up 55 points with numerous assists through three quarters, but the Raiders’ press defense proved too much in the fourth quarter.

Still, there were encouraging moments for the team. Senior guards Lucas Chuderewicz and Colin Cunningham stepped up, with Chuderewicz scoring a career-high 19 points and Cunningham adding 14. Foley, despite fouling out in the fourth quarter, still managed to score double digits for the 16th straight game, continuing his impressive run.

Currently ranked 10th in team history with 1,055 points, Foley is on pace to move into the top five by the end of the winter. He spoke about his desire to leave a legacy at Notre Dame, noting that his family has deep roots in the community. His twin sister, Caroline, plays on the girls’ team, and his brother, Luke, played before him. For Foley, Notre Dame is more than just a school—it’s a home.

Foley also played AAU basketball over the summer with the Jersey Force, which helped connect him to colleges and eventually led to his commitment to York College of Pennsylvania in October. He plans to study finance with a minor in accounting while playing Division III basketball.

For now, his main focus is helping Notre Dame transition from underdog to contender in the CVC Tournament in February. “That’s what sports is all about,” Foley said. “I love it here. I wouldn’t change anything about this season. We’re gonna figure it out. It’s all about dealing with adversity.”

Game Summary

Hillsborough (65)

– Toth: 8-2-18

– Albee: 2-0-5

– A. Feath: 11-6-31

– Quargine: 2-0-4

– Boatang: 1-0-3

– Pawlowski: 2-0-4

– Totals: 26-8-65

Notre Dame (58)

– Cunningham: 6-0-14

– Foley: 3-3-11

– Pesce: 2-0-6

– Chuderewicz: 8-1-19

– Beacham: 3-1-7

– Kamera: 0-1-1

– Totals: 22-6-58

Scoring Breakdown

– Hillsborough: 11, 22, 16, 16 — 65

– Notre Dame: 17, 16, 22, 3 — 58

Three-Point Goals

– A. Feath: 3

– Albee, Boatang (H)

– Cunningham: 2

– Foley: 2

– Pesce: 2

– Chuderewicz: 2 (ND)