The Student News Site of Cathedral High School | Indianapolis, Indiana

Irish Connection
The Student News Site of Cathedral High School | Indianapolis, Indiana

Irish Connection
The Student News Site of Cathedral High School | Indianapolis, Indiana

Irish Connection
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Hoops Are Just Getting Started

Cathedral Boys Basketball are 18-5 heading into Sectionals.
Royce Ward, Reporter
March 4, 2026
Cathedral Basketball celebrates their City Championship with a team photo. They won the City Championship by beating Scecina 65-58. Head Coach Jason Delaney says, “They have been such a fun group to coach and be around because they are truly bought in to what we are trying to accomplish.” Photo by Lacey Nix.

The Irish have some impressive wins this season like Winton Woods, Male, South Bend Saint Joseph, and Brebeuf Jesuit. They look to continue their winning ways heading into Sectionals week.

Head Coach Jason Delaney said this when asked about what it will take to win a Sectional Championship and Championships beyond that, “We will have to play with energy from the tip and not take any team for granted. We have to protect the basketball and really focus on keeping the game simple. We have to play downhill and our assists need to be high because that means the ball is moving.”

Coach Delaney is in his tenth year of coaching at Cathedral. He has an outstanding record of 189-57 in ten years of coaching the Irish. This years team is headlined by three really talented players, who are also great teammates and leaders. Keaton Aldridge 26’ leads the way for the Irish, averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Senior Julien Smith is averaging just under 17 points per game and is shooting 44% from three.

The final senior, R’mani Wells, is fourth on the team in points, and is shooting 41%. Wells spoke on what makes this team so special, he said, “What makes this team so special is how hard we work together and the sacrifices we put in day in and day out to achieve our best ability.”

This team has the perfect mix of talent, teamwork, hard work, and an unbreakable bond. They have their eyes set on things much larger than a Sectional Championship. They want to hoist the State Championship trophy by the end of their season. The Sectional Championship is the first step. Coach Delaney when asked about their key factors to success said, “The chemistry of our team because they are a blue collar group that just bring their hard hats to work every day and get the job done.”

Year in and year out, Cathedral Basketball produces college talent, but more importantly than that, they have extreme success, and they create life long friendships with their teammates.

They look to continue their amazing season with a Sectional Championship, and much more Championships to follow.

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About the Contributor
Royce Ward
Royce Ward
Royce Ward is a senior at Cathedral High School. He is a member of Cathedral Baseball. When not at Cathedral, he enjoys playing baseball and hanging out with friends. He loves having class with Mr. Quaranta.