Sports
Beyond the Bench: Bloomfield Basketball League Honors Former Andover Student Peter Catcho
Team PAC paid tribute to a fallen friend and learned to cope with loss through sports.
Editor's Note: This is the first of an occasional series on Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills Patch about insights and perspectives on life and community, as told through local sports.
When Jeremy Fishman of Bloomfield Hills and his friends decided to create a nine-man team in the Bloomfield Basketball League in March, they were nothing short of ecstatic.
Comprising five members of the basketball program and one from Birmingham members of the group looked forward to staying in shape and enjoying some competitive action while doing what they love … together.
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But a key member — 17-year-old Peter Catcho of West Bloomfield — wasn't there. On March 17, the Andover junior died in his sleep from a heart-related illness.
“We decided we’d go ahead with the team (which began play in April) and play in Peter’s honor,” said Fishman, whose father, Jefrey Fishman, helped coach the team. They wrapped up the league’s season last week with a 6-2 record.
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“It was cool because we decided to continue with our plans to form a team, even though we were really sad,” said the 16-year-old Jeremy Fishman, who had known Catcho for years.
“It's special that they did that,” said Bloomfield Hills resident Gani Ricarte, who heads the league that he started nearly three years ago. “It got emotional at the end of the last game (championship game) as they wanted to win that last game for him. Some cried. They lost a close game.”
As part of their tribute, the boys had team shirts made at Speedy Tees in Birmingham in Catcho’s memory.
They called themselves Team PAC, representing Peter Anthony Catcho's initials.
Fishman designed the black T-shirts, which featured inspirational phrases on the back such as, “Be strong and courageous,” “Do not be afraid” and “Do not be discouraged.”
“The words on the shirt describe who Peter was,” said Fishman. “The words are from the Bible, but we didn't want to make it religious in any way by citing the words.”
“Catcho’s family was aware of the shirts, as we told them about them,” said Fishman. “They have some, too.”
Sam Nathan, a 16-year-old Andover student, helped coach the team. He, too, was good pals with Catcho.
“He was probably my best friend,” said Nathan, who was wearing the commemorative T-shirt on the day of this interview. “I wear it all the time,” he said, “not just at game time. Peter wanted to join this league the most out of all of us, so this past season was for him.”
Heartfelt and humble, the creation of and commitment to Team PAC helped the boys cope with tragedy and commemorate their pal, on and off the court.
“Everyone deals with it (Catcho’s death) differently,” Fishman said.
For more information on the Bloomfield Basketball League, visit bloomfieldbasketball.com.
