WEST ROXBURY – Legends stood at center court during halftime of Catholic Memorial’s 69-35 Catholic Conference victory over Xaverian on Friday night to watch as CM Hall of Famer Ron Teixeira’s No. 52 jersey was retired.
Teixeira (’65) led CM to a 94-9 record during his high school career,which included a state championship in his senior year. He was the first African-American student at Catholic Memorial and became the first 2,000-point scorer in Massachusetts high school basketball history, currently sitting ninth on the state’s all-time scoring list with 2,250 points.
Standing alongside Ron Perry Sr. in the gymnasium named after Catholic Memorial’s legendary coach, Teixeira spoke fondly of his coach and mentor.
“I often say that the luckiest day of my life was the day that I met Mr. Perry,’’ Teixeira said.
“He convinced me to come to Catholic Memorial and it’s cliché when you say someone in your life is a second father but in the case of Mr. Perry it’s more than a cliché. I owe so much to him.’’
The 6-foot-9-inch center from Roxbury joins Ronald Perry Jr. (’76), who stood alongside his father and Teixeira at midcourt, as the second basketball player to have his number retired at Catholic Memorial.
“It’s a tremendous honor,’’ Teixeira said. “I consider the four years I spent at Catholic Memorial the most important of my life. They helped to shape me into who I am today.’’
Among the many highlights of his career, Teixeira recounted playing in the state tournament at the Boston Garden, as well as facing off with Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, when the future NBA Hall of Famer was leading New York City’s Power Memorial to 71 consecutive victories.
Teixeira went on to play at Holy Cross under Ron Perry Sr., and was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
“We both grew together,’’ Perry Sr. said of his relationship with Teixeira.
“Ron was one of the easiest kids I’ve ever had to coach because he always gave 100 percent-plus. He became a great player, but more importantly, being the first person of color at the high school . . . what an example he set.
“This is a tribute to the type of person Ron is and I’m so happy at this point in his life, he’s being recognized for something he did so well 50 years ago.’’
In yet another victory at Ronald S. Perry Gymnasium, eighth-ranked Catholic Memorial (7-3, 4-0 Catholic Conference) left no doubt of the outcome by forcing 25 turnovers to open a 52-21 lead over Xaverian (4-4, 1-1) by halftime.
Senior captain Kani Glover led the host Knights with 20 points on Teixeira’s honorary night.
“Not only was [Teixiera] a great leader, he was a pioneer and a trailblazer,’’ said CM president Dr. Peter Folan. “He’s a great human being, and as a diverse school in Boston, he’s a role model for our students.’’
Nate Weitzer can be reached at nathaniel.weitzer@globe.com.
