When the phrase, “Viator basketball,” is brought up around school, the immediate thought of conference champs and regionals comes to mind. Nothing has changed with this current group of players, as their season has been wrapped around the thought of competing during playoff basketball. The season thus far has been a success, and, after the 52-50 win over Joliet Catholic, Saint Viator is 4-1 in conference and 15-4 overall. The team has been playing exceptionally lately.

“At the beginning of the year we always talked about getting better everyday, and I think we have stuck to that most days, and we have improved both individually and as a team,” said senior Miles McDonnell.

With the team playing their best basketball of the season, the Lions’ mighty goals are looking attainable through their hard work and dedication throughout the season thus far. Senior Danny Walsh believes the goals should not be any short of a conference championship, regional championship, and being the first Viator team to make the super sectional for class 4A.

“It’ll be a long and tough journey, but we believe we can get there if we continue taking each day at a time and trying to improve everyday,” said Walsh.

The long haul from the beginning of fall workouts up to now has proven significant to not only improve the physical aspects of the team, but allow increasing the team chemistry along the way. The senior core has been together for many years now, working countless hours together to create an intangible not possessed by many teams.

“You cannot win games without teamwork, and teamwork requires chemistry. Our senior group has been playing together for many years, so we have developed strong chemistry between us,” said McDonnell.

The more critical accomplishment from the seniors has been the incorporation and leadership toward the juniors. By practicing everyday with the team, the seniors have been able to incorporate the juniors into the varsity way. “Everyday we have been meshing more with the juniors on our team … We are beginning to play some of our best basketball at this point in the season, and this is due to our team becoming more and more comfortable with one another,” said McDonnell.

As the season progresses toward playoffs, Saint Viator basketball knows the team will have no easy games from here on out.

The tough schedule ahead is certainly not scaring off any member of team, instead creating an excited atmosphere ready for the challenges ahead. Everyone on the team is buying in, knowing their role, and wanting to do anything they can to win. When asked to describe the team and how they function as a unit.

“We aren’t a team full of Division I talent that can just show up to games and win just being there, but we have to work hard day in and day out,” said Walsh. “[We] take pride in our “junkyard dog” effort, scrapping for every loose ball and doing all the little things to get a victory.”