The eighth grade boy's travel team coached by Andy Lubell and Jack Carey started two years later than most of the St. Bernard travel teams. Most travel teams start in fourth grade. This travel team had its first season in sixth grade. Having two years less experience than most travel teams, these boys had to work hard to catch up to the caliber of play in travel. Two years of missing the CYO playoffs by one and two games, led to a rededication this year. Instead of the team word that starts their game being "dominate," it has become "team." A team is what they have become. As of Feb. 9 the team has an 8-1 CYO record and a 9-1 Super League record. Except for two personnel changes over the last two years, the team has basically stayed the same.

Coaches in St. Bernard's travel program often joke that the water around here doesn't promote great height; this team finally has size and strength across the front line. The players who have come of size this year, start with the team's heart, soul, and leader Joe Rickerby. Jon Barlett, a huge addition last year, is this year's leading rebounder. Ryan Parkman has dedicated himself to putting the team first with strong defense and rebounding. These three players have had a huge effect on the team's turnaround this year. The forwards start with a big six-footer, Matt Mege, who who shoots and runs the floor like a guard. Two players who are depended on a lot are Jon O'Connell who is their best open floor offensive player and Adam Montivillo, one of the team's best man on man defenders, usually defending the other team's best offensive player.

As the team gets smaller it gets more intense. Steve Zappalla, a slasher, and Paul Fontana, a long range shooter both provide great offensive sparks off the bench. Then we get to the final three players. John Carey is a touch point guard who doesn't back down from anybody on the floor. The two most annoying players on the court, if you're the opposition trying to pass or dribble, are David Lubell and Izzy Robles. They set the pace of the defense with non-stop attack basketball. The team's style is high energy, in your face basketball that doesn't stop until the final buzzer.

Head coach Andy Lubell commented how lucky he is to have the opportunity to coach and know such a great bunch of young men and their families. "I've loved every minute of the last three years and will miss the team, their parents and my assistant coach Jack Carey when the season is over. It's been the greatest experience of my St. Bernard's coaching career, and I feel truly blessed to have had this chance."

With the toughest part of the season still ahead, this team will try to attain their goal of a championship by playing high energy team ball. As the coaches know, it's not how you start a season, it's how you finish. Good luck eighth grade Bobcats.