Irish Chase Revenge

The O’Dea Fighting Irish basketball team has high hopes for the upcoming season after a devastating loss in last year's quarterfinal against rival Eastside Catholic 48-44. The team has key returners, unfortunate departures, and nothing to lose this upcoming season.

The team is already 2-0 for the 2022-2023 season. They played Timberline for their season opener and won with a score of 78-53. Constant pressure and gritty plays carried them through the game, as well as senior point guard Mason Williams dominating the game earning a double-double in the stat book.

More recently, the team faced Metro League powerhouse Rainer Beach on December 2nd and beat them with a score of 78-73.

The Irish have many key returners. Some of them include Williams and senior power forward Miles Clark. Both players are committed to play Division 1 basketball at Eastern Washington University and the United States Air Force Academy, respectively.

A flaw in the team though is the age of some players. The team only has a total of three returning seniors and the rest are all underclassmen, especially juniors. It will be interesting to see who steps up as leaders and who can carry the team’s weight on their back with the lack of experience.

If the team can get past the lack of seniority, they will be more than fine. The talent from the younger players does not lack, especially with juniors Miles Goodman and Noel Davis; both players have game changing abilities that the Irish will need for the rest of the season.

Young players have always made a big impact for the Irish though, as Williams started for the Irish squad last year and had an extraordinary year.

“This year we have a freshman that is playing phenomenally. Brian Webster comes off the bench and is making a huge impact,” Clark shared.

Freshman making impact on the Irish varsity team has been nothing new. O’Dea alum and Orlando Magic member Paolo Banchero played on the varsity squad as a freshman and had an amazing high school career that led him to be the number one draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Head coach Jason Kerr has the personnel to succeed this season. As the season progresses, the young players will only adapt more and more to the high pace play of Metro League basketball.

All the returning players and new players hope to seek revenge for last year’s squad in the Eastside Catholic Crusaders game. Not only revenge for last years basketball team, but also this year's football team who lost to the Crusaders in the state semi final game.

“Eastside is definitely a key game this year. We lost to them in state last year and we are looking for our revenge. We also want some get back for our football guys this year,” Clark said.

It is a long and tough road for the Irish this year, but with their talent it will be expected that they make a run at the state championship this year.