The men’s basketball team has kicked off their season, and as of Nov. 29, they hold a 2-0 record. The team played their first game on Nov. 23, when they traveled to Gary to face off against Bowman Academy and won 85-41. 

The Irish are ranked first in the state in the most recent Indiana Basketball Coaches Association poll.

Without junior Jaron Tibbs, a 6-foot, 5-inch guard who was unable to play in the first two games due to his being on the football team (210 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the State championship game), the team was without a key scorer. 

Against Bowman Academy, however, Tibbs’s absence seemed to be a non-factor. Junior Jake Davis scored 25 points, including seven three pointers. Junior Xavier Booker, a highly recruited 6-foot-11-inch forward who is expected to play a big role this season, scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while also dishing out six assists. Junior Sincere Germany scored 17 and senior Jaxon Edwards added 16.

Senior Tayshawn Comer, the team’s starting point guard and the leading scorer of those who returned from last year’s team, accounted for 12 assists, leading the team. However, Comer scored only two points while taking three shots. Head Coach Mr. Jason Delaney tweeted about Comer’s performance, “He chose to only take 3 shots because he wanted others to be involved. Definition of sacrifice for others. It’s not all about scoring and he made that choice tonight.”

The JV team also came away with a win against Bowman Academy, their first of the season.

The varsity squad then travelled to Mason, Ohio on Nov. 27 to face off against Cleveland St. Ignatius, which was ranked as the 11th best team in Ohio last year. Once again they came away with a victory, this time winning 67-51.

Against St. Ignatius, Comer took more of a scoring role, leading the team with 23 points while still adding five assists. Booker scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Edwards added 13 points. 

The team will play their first home game on Dec. 3 against Brebeuf Jesuit. The Braves have also gotten off to a hot start, as they will enter the game 2-0 after wins against Cardinal Ritter and Hamilton Southeastern. Purdue recruit Braden Smith returns after leading the Braves in scoring last year with 18 points per game.