BY ZACH SMART
On most other teams throughout the state and the country for that matter, Stepinac’s 6-foot-7 Class of 2026 wing Dylan Perry’s numbers would be gaudier and his role more substantial.
Similar many on this deep, senior-laden Crusaders roster, however, the weathered veteran has sacrificed individual shine for team glory.
A bullish, hard attacking threat who possessed college ready physicality and a wide ranging game on both ends of the floor, Perry was offered by Monmouth this week.
He currently holds offers from the likes of Towson, Siena, Quinnipiac, and others.
Perry opened eyes during the Catholic Schools vs Public Schools Showcase at the Westchester County Center his sophomore year, with multiple extravagant dunks.
His vertically explosive style continued as a junior last season, as he provided quality minutes as a role player.
Perhaps Perry’s most significant moment occurred during the waning regulation moments of Stepinac’s pulsating, come from behind 63-61 Overtime victory over St. Raymond’s for the program’s third consecutive city title.
The Crusaders came storming back from a six-point deficit with 58 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
After 2026 guard Jasiah Jervis stuck a straight-on 3-pointer to cut the deficit to three, Perry came streaking down in transition to complete a traditional 3-point play.
Perry’s poised heroics sent the CHSAA “AA” championship game into overtime for the first time in 15 years.
Jervis opened up overtime with a corner 3-pointer and 6-foot-5 guard Hassan Koureissi stuck another 3-pointer as Stepinac regained the lead, holding on for a dramatic comeback.
Perry’s presence is emblematic of the depth and senior leadership this Crusaders team is teeming with. He scored 14 points to go with five rebounds and a pair of steals during the 69-67 victory over PSAL champ Thomas Jefferson in the 2025 CHSAA vs PSAL championship at Long Island University-Brooklyn. Perry also had an 18-point, 10-rebound performance during last season’s opener against St. Frances (Md).
Of course, the highly coveted Jervis inherits some ownership of this year’s team.
“We will rely (on Jervis) and a heavy senior class to lead us through a challenging national schedule and CHSAA league play,” Crusaders head coach Pat Massaroni said in July.
A 6-foot-5 guard with intergalactic range and a polished three level scoring acumen, Jervis recently whittled his list down to Florida, NC State, Illinois, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee, as recently reported by ZAGSBLOG.
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes was recently in to see the CHSAA Player of the Year favorite. Michigan State appears to be jockeying for the front runner position in Jervis’ high profile recruitment.