Basketball more than wins for Saints

In what has felt like a whirlwind of a ride, I, as a die-hard basketball fan, want to give props to the Saints men’s basketball team.

It’s street talk but I can’t help but feel I have had an opportunity to glimpse into something truly rare and special. The Saints ended the regular season as league champions and went on to place fifth overall in the NWAACCs. But the wins are small in comparison to the bigger picture. Zoomed in close, this family portrait contains a Justin Bieber look-a-like, a ladies man, an extremely humble head coach and a host of tall characters.

The heart of what makes sports enjoyable is feeling you are a part of the greatness you’re watching. In a time when pro and college athletes are treated as gods, it is rare to find the occasional few with both feet planted firmly on the ground, especially during times of success.

This season I watched each basketball game with nervous anticipation, and found myself holding back overt applause, smiles and comments under the guidelines of journalistic objectivity. But I will say it now: this season’s team had a chemistry and bond that isn’t easy to come by.

“Line up tallest to shortest,” said coach Gibor at a practice earlier in the season. “You mean tallest to Marcus (Moore),” shouted a Saints team member laughing alongside his teammates. My first instinct was to think offense had been taken, or an ego scorned. Moore just laughed; that’s when I felt the first of what would be many big grins spread across my face in observing this team.

They banded together in defeat and they remained unusually humble in times of success (like the eight-game win streak, a Southern Region title, and a coach of the year award). They did it because they loved it. All of it, the nicknames, the chance to rep their HOOD, and for one last season to play ball with family. Maybe some will go on to play elsewhere, maybe even at the pro level. My guess is it won’t quite be the same, because no matter where they go, they will always carry HOOD in their hearts.