It’s never easy to see a season end with a loss.
And it’s never easy to see a group of seniors walk off the court for the final time.
And when you’re playing every game of the season to bring home a championship, it’s tough when the season ends without one.
But don’t dare call this year’s season by the Archbishop Ryan High School boys basketball team anything but a success.
How could it not be?
Let’s tackle the negatives first.
Ryan didn’t win a Catholic League championship, and failed to advance to the state final.
It’s not what the Raiders wanted.
But look at how they didn’t get there.
The Raiders played in arguably the greatest Catholic League championship game of all time before falling by a point to Roman Catholic. The game ended on a buzzer beater on a great play by Roman. It was such a classic that it made SportsCenter.
And Roman? Not a bad basketball team.
The Cahillites were one of the best teams in the Catholic League all season, and they proved that in the playoffs. Ryan was less than one second away from accomplishing that goal.
Then there was the state playoffs.
Ryan once again had a great run. But it ended against city rival Imhotep Charter in the semifinals Tuesday night at Bensalem. The Panthers, who many have as one of the top basketball teams in the state, won 52-48.
Again, not the way Ryan wanted this run to end, and that’s why there were tears falling after the final seconds ticked off.
But just like Roman, Imhotep is loaded with talent.
Ryan didn’t do what it set out to do.
But fans, supporters and eventually the team will see, this year, it accomplished much more.
The Raiders were ridiculously popular in the school and community. The success had a lot to do with the support they received, but it didn’t have everything to do with it.
The biggest reason everyone wanted to see this team bring home championships is because anyone who got to know this team had no choice but to like them.
Thomas Sorber might be a giant of a person, but he’s as gentle as they come.
Darren Williams is one of the nicest and most positive people you’ll ever meet.
Jaden Murray has been a fan favorite at Ryan his entire high school career and his personality and attitude are why.
Rocco Morabito hit big shot after big shot during the playoffs, but what he brought to the huddle was just as important.
Ryan Everett was the star on ESPN, but his willingness to do anything needed with a smile is what the fans love.
Frank Monaco might be better known as a soccer player, but his chemistry with his teammates and crowd was so important to this team.
Christian Durham would always maximize his minutes and did it with a smile.
Gavin Reed was a great leader and one of the more popular guys on the team.
And Greg Weiss didn’t see a lot of time because he played behind Sorber, but he left his mark by being a great teammate and working Sorber hard in practice.
The only thing that makes Ryan’s loss to Imhotep disappointing is because those nine won’t be back.
The only thing that makes the loss to Imhotep sad is because they won’t play another game together in high school.
But they probably will play together somewhere down the line.
Whenever you’d talk to a player, whether he’s been a four-year player or a kid who is a few practices in and is new to the program, they’ll tell you how much they like each other.
They’ll also tell you that it’s not a coincidence.
They put the credit on coach Joe Zeglinski and his assistants.
Whether it was the fun they had in summer ball, the cool trip to Florida early in the season or the magical postseason run, this team enjoyed each other’s company.
They’re not just basketball friends.
They’re not just teammates.
They’re best friends.
They’re family.
Ryan does have a good group of underclassmen who will return next year, and no matter what Zeglinski has, he usually figures things out. It’s why the Raiders have made the PCL semifinals six times in the last nine years.
They’ll be back.
Many of the seniors will also play in college.
Sorber is going to Georgetown, Williams is bound for Florida Gulf Coast and Morabito is headed to Gannon.
It’s hard to believe Murray and Everett won’t play somewhere if they want to. In fact, every player on the team who wants to play could play at the next level.
And they’ll be successful.
Just as they were in high school.
