For the second straight season, the St. Joseph Catholic School boys basketball team captured a regional state championship. Now, the Fighting Irish have their sites set on winning it all.
The Fighting Irish (17-4) defeated Discovery Christian 65-41 Saturday in the championship game of the MAIS Class 2A South State Tournament.
St. Joe head coach James Hunter said the victory was a total team effort as senior Dillon Johnson, junior Mekhi Norris and freshman Jerrian King were all named to the All-Tournament team. Johnson led the Fighting Irish with 22 points in the championship game. King scored 17. Senior Trey Benson scored eight. Freshman C.J. Moore scored six, and Norris scored five.
“This team has come together and done the things it needs to do to win,” Coach Hunter said. “When we get down, we stay focused and continue to work.”
The Fighting Irish have now won 12 straight games heading into their opening round game against Kemper Academy in the MIAS Class 2A State Tournament at Sylva Bay Academy.
“We have our sites set on playing for the state championship this Saturday, but we know we have a tough opponent in the first round,” Coach Hunter said.
A big reason for the success this season has been his team’s depth, Coach Hunter said.
Seniors Johnson and Benson have been the two leaders on this year’s squad, while juniors like Kaleb Lockett, A.J. McCloud, Raphael Henry, Jay Robinson and Norris have also played their roles well, according to the coach.
While the fine play of his upperclassmen was expected this season, Coach Hunter said he has been pleasantly surprised with how quickly his underclassman have adjusted to playing basketball at the varsity level.
Along with King, freshmen Donnie Smith and C.J. Moore, have all come up big in key spots this season. Freshman Raymon Singh, Roury McCloyen, Alvin Hudson, Christian Foster and Kye Nelson have also contributed both in games and at practice.
