In August, the Crusaders Basketball Team hosted the top high school basketball team from Fukuoka, Japan, during a cultural exchange trip to visit the Saint Louis campus. 

The two teams had the chance to meet with one another and the Crusader team had an opportunity to share similar experiences in both basketball and school with the visiting players.

Prior to the highly anticipated game between the two schools, players had the opportunity to hang out with one another and experience what it’s like to be a Crusader by visiting with students in their classes a week before the scheduled scrimmage. Not only did some of the players from both teams spend time together in school, but also outside of school. “It was pretty cool meeting people from a different country,” explains Senior Guard Jiovanni Ramos. “It was cool to have lunch with them, sit with them, spend time with them, get to know one another.”

For both teams, the exchange visit was more than just a fun and competitive scrimmage, but a time to relax and let loose. “Besides basketball, we did TikTok dances, ‘talked story’ and ate bentos,” shared Senior center Jordan Posiulai. 

In addition to the basketball exchange, the players were able to learn the culture of the other. “I feel like they were more formal compared to us here in Hawaii,” adds Ramos. “They were very friendly with other students here.”

As each of the players learned about each other’s daily lives, the experience also helped the teams bond over certain similarities.  “We shared similarities in technology used, clothes we wanted, and shows we watched,” said Posiulai.

As the Crusader Basketball Team prepares for the 2023 basketball, they participated in several scrimmages, including teams with a mix of players from both teams. These mixed teams allowed both sides to play, while learning each team’s style of play style, while also learning how the two teams each had their own signature in style.“We got to learn each other’s play styles and got to mesh and bond with those on our team,” said Ramos. “They distributed the ball very well [and] they liked to pass just like us.” 

While the two teams had similar play styles, the Crusaders were able to capitalize on their mistakes. “They were disciplined,” explained Posiulai, “but they took a lot of chances that led to us scoring easy points.”

The main scrimmage between the two teams was a back-and-forth game. The Crusaders were able to pull out the win against the number one team of Fukuoka 58-48. The Crusaders saw a lot of aspects that worked for the Fukuoka team. “They like to get out of transition like we do,” describes Ramos. “Although we beat them, they’re all around [a] solid team.”  The Crusaders will be traveling to Fukuoka in November to play the team again, giving the Crusader basketball team a chance to learn about Japanese culture and values. They are simply “a team with a lot of talent,” says Posiulai.  The Crusaders look forward to their next opportunity to play the Fukuoka team in the future on their home court.