The Saint Louis basketball program has done it once again. For the third year in a row, the Crusaders have won the ILH and State championship. The Crusaders haven’t had a 3-peat in basketball for decades, and now they can expand this great achievement into next year, seeking the illustrious “Four in a Row.”
For several players, specifically the senior leaders, this year’s victory signifies the journey’s conclusion. We will look at what lies ahead for the team with its incoming upperclassmen and plans for the future.
In their final season of Crusader basketball, the seniors took up leadership roles in the team. They helped guide the group throughout the season, teaching and learning alongside their teammates, helping the team grow into a winning team.
Senior Jiovanni Ramos has been on the team for four years, experiencing each of the three state titles. Ramos learned important lessons throughout his time as a Crusader. “I’ve learned leadership, I’ve learned to work with others as a team, I’ve learned to work through adversity and obstacles, and I will continue to use these skills in college, trying to get a job, and anything after that.”
Ramos also shared that he learned a lot from past senior players and, in return, took on a leadership role as a senior himself to have the same impact on his younger teammates. “In the beginning, I was sort of the weak freshman everyone looked at,” shares Ramos. “I slowly evolved into a senior leader everyone could look up to. Over those 4 years, I have been able to learn and mature by looking up to the seniors before me, learning lessons from them, and they helped shape me into the man I am today.”
This third and last championship for Ramos had a big impact on him. He said, “It shaped my view on success by knowing that success doesn’t come easily. It comes with hard work, a lot of adversity, and challenges. What matters is how you face those challenges and how you can turn them into success.” Ramos has learned life lessons, had unforgettable experiences and emotions, and will always remember his experiences with the team.
One of the players who will step into a leadership role next year is one of our juniors, Stone Kanoa. Kanoa highlighted his bond and friendship with the seniors during this season, saying, “They influenced me greatly on the court, taking up leadership roles and guiding me, while off the court being great friends.” Kanoa learned from seniors, notably Ramos.
“My experience on the team has made me a greater and more humble person,” shares Kanoa. Entering his last year as a Crusader, Kanoa is now looking to win a fourth state championship. Kanoa reflected on the impact of being a member of this championship squad now that there are expectations and dreams for a Four-peat, adding, “It influenced him greatly because the feeling of winning and success that I got is something that I will continue to strive for in the future.”
In celebration of the third State title, coach Mark Revuelto discussed the journey the team has endured, eventually coming out on top. “This team has fought through adversity, challenges, expectations, and doubters. They have played talented teams and have gone through the knit and gritty leading up to another state title,” shares Reveulto. “I am extremely proud of this year’s team, especially them having to bear the weight and pressure of following up the back-to-back championship.”
Coaching this team throughout the season and highlighting its success, Reveulto looks forward to next year’s team and their expectations. Reveulto shared that the team will need to work hard in the off-season to win another consecutive championship, or in his words, “four in a row.”
