Sports are so special because they bring communities together, with people bonding over their success and shared experiences. This year, St. X Basketball had one of the best seasons in school history with a 31-3 record and a trip to Rupp Arena, producing many great moments along the way while officially putting St. X on the basketball map.
What one takes away from this season is much deeper than a record, award, or championship. While the King of the Bluegrass, Louisville Invitational, and Regional Championships (as well as beating Trinity three times in one season for the first time in school history) are accomplishments never to be taken lightly, it is only a testament to what Coach Klein and the Tigers have built on Poplar Level. From the players, coaches, and fans who were able to witness it, the defining moment of this season wasn’t a loss.
“I was absolutely thrilled to see my Tigers roll through an incredible basketball season and earn a trip to the Sweet Sixteen,” Terry Meiners (‘75) said. “It had been 30 long years of crossing fingers, saying prayers, and hoping for enough good luck to get that bus ride to the state tournament. I am so proud of the entire team and coaching staff for delighting Tiger Nation with this amazing experience.”
Winning can go a long way to rallying a community, but the way a team does it can be more special than the winning itself. Some say that the journey is more rewarding than the destination, and this team can testify to it. In all sports, playing for the name on the front of your jersey instead of the back shows the strength of an unbreakable culture as well as serving as a reminder as to who you play for.
The most important part of a program is indeed the culture, and any team that lacks it will never be as successful as those who are willing to sacrifice everything for each other. It plays such a huge role in the makeup and success of a team, enabling trust between the players and coaches which allows the team to thrive and play to their fullest potential.
“My biggest takeaway is the unbreakable bond I’ve built with my teammates,” senior Will Hanke said. “I truly see this group as my brothers that will last for the rest of my life. I also came to understand what ‘bigger than basketball’ really means.”
“The wins and championships were all special, but I will always remember this team for other reasons,” Coach Klein said. “The relationships formed, team chemistry, work ethic, character, will to win, and overall quality of people I was surrounded by every day is a coach’s dream.”
The fans, players, and coaches are the three main elements of an organization. Not only has the Tigers’ recent success on the hardwood been admirable to watch from the perspective of someone on the court or in the stands, but it has its positives from an administrative standpoint as well.
“It definitely raises the profile of our department with the explosion of social media and the number posts and engagements that result from that,” Athletic Director Mr. Tinius said. “People were excited to get in and see the team.”
“I hope it reminds everyone of the wealth of opportunity that our environment provides,” Tinius said. “Even if we weren’t thought of as a ‘basketball school’, if you are talented and you work hard with the right people around you, great success can be found.”
St. X is not just a high school, but a community that will always have your back. You’ll never wear that Tiger polo, jersey, or uniform without carrying the pride of the school and the people who represent it. For a place with such a storied history and tradition, expectations are always high, but not solely about making it from ‘A to B’. High standards will keep a team in check for success, and culture keeps a team on the path to success throughout the hills and valleys of what is thrown at you.
“The St. X community rallied around and took so much pride in this team,” Hanke said. “We brought joy to students, teachers, families, alumni, and friends simply by playing basketball, something we love to do. Seeing the excitement around the school and alumni coming back to watch us play meant the world to us.
