Lafayette boys’ basketball turns adversity into opportunity, eyes success in 2024
By Calvin Silvers
Two seasons ago, the Lafayette boys’ basketball team capped an impressive run with a third-place finish in Class 4, but that success left a big question mark heading into last season, as the Irish faced the challenge of replacing an abundance of experienced talent lost to graduation.
Despite the uncertainty, Lafayette found its stride late in the season, closing with five straight wins. The highlight came in the district tournament, where the Irish stunned a red-hot Benton squad riding a 16-game winning streak.
Lafayette’s run ultimately ended with a loss to Maryville in the district championship.
“One of the things last year we struggled with was adversity,” head coach Kevin Bristol said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what tomorrow night does for us, see if we’ve matured where we’re able to handle everything a little bit better, but we don’t want to be great in November, we want to be great in February.”
The 16-13 campaign last season wasn’t the strongest record in recent years for the Fighting Irish, but the 63-51 loss to Maryville in the district championship wasn’t without its silver linings. The team gained valuable insights, including the confidence that they could compete with, and defeat, anyone on any given night.
“We were the underdog, so just getting that win and then, you know, playing Maryville, it was just a very big moment,” senior Antonio Williams said. “Unfortunately, we lost to Maryville, but I feel like that loss opened up our eyes to make us get back to work, really determined to get better. Everybody’s been stepping up in practice.”
The addition of more experience can make a significant difference at the high school level, and the Fighting Irish believe they have an experienced core of seniors and juniors ready to lead the charge.
In fact, this season, the team has shown noticeable improvements in chemistry compared to last year.
“We learned how to play together and with practicing starting up this year, that’s what I see,” Bristol said. “That’s what I’ve been most impressed with, that we’ve been playing together more cohesive as a team, talking to each other, we’re coaching each other.”
As for Williams, he’s making an effort to not only pave the way for future success but keep everyone on track for this final go-round.
“I feel like I’ve got better as a leader,” Williams said. “I’ve been trying to get this team better, to build them up, to be better basketball players and better humans, you know, so just trying to be positive for the team.”
Thursday marks Lafayette’s first opportunity to face off against another team in a different jersey, as they’ll take on Central, Benton, and LeBlond during the City Jamboree.
After playing the underdog role for much of last season, the Irish are eager to showcase the new energy and talent they’ve cultivated heading into this year.
“We want to show tomorrow that we really want to be here and showcase our talent because everybody works hard here and everybody wants to get out there and get a win under their belt,” Williams said.
