Championship basketball teams need a lot of pieces.
There’s no right or wrong way to build a championship team, but it helps to have guys who can score.
It also helps to have guys who can defend.
The Father Judge High School basketball team just won its second straight Catholic League championship, the first time the Crusaders went back to back with basketball crowns.
Guys like Derrick Morton-Rivera, Max Moshinski, Rocco Westfield and Nazir Tyler were huge contributors in those areas, and were a huge reason why Judge celebrated at the Palestra after beating Neumann-Goretti for the PCL championship and why the Crusaders are still looking for a second state championship.
But it takes more than talent to win.
Especially when playing in the always-tough Catholic League.
You’re going to have games where you need someone who has been there to show you the ropes. Someone who can keep guys focused on what’s ahead and not dwell on what just happened.
Judge doesn’t have that guy.
It’s fortunate enough to have three guys who can fill that role.
Mike Chase, Nick Evans and Nick Lilly were all able to fill that role. All three are very talented basketball players and ready whenever coach Chris Roantree calls their number, but when they’re not in the game, they contribute every bit as much as they would if they were hitting game-winning buckets.
“My role is being that senior leader, I try to be a loud voice and just bring a lot of energy,” said Lilly, a forward from Rhawnhurst. “My role off the floor is just being there for all my teammates.”
“My role this year changed because midway through the year, I was honored as a captain,” said Chase, a wing from Mayfair. “I knew my minutes would be low, so I knew whenever things were going downhill, it was my job to pick our guys up and keep going. It meant a lot to me because I want to help this team anyway I can. I have a bond with a lot of of the younger guys, and their talent is phenomenal. I just try to help them wherever I can. The better they do, the better we do as a team.”
“I’m always doing my best, I know I bring energy, defense and always try to get my teammates an open shot,” said Evans, a guard from Feasterville. “I don’t see the floor much, I stay ready making sure I push my teammates every day. Off the floor, I try to be a leader and keep the bench engaged. I keep everyone locked in and motivated. It’s very important, keeping people motivated, locked in, it leads to great results. Make sure they keep their head up and ready to go and keep motivating them. Get on their game. Try to win.”
It’s worked pretty well.
The trio have been exactly what a team like the Crusaders need.
These three players have been on the team since they arrived as freshmen. They went through the program. They were there when the Crusaders weren’t making the Palestra, like when they were freshmen. They know what it feels like to lose at the Palestra, which Judge did during their sophomore seasons. And last year, they found out what it was like to be the best in the Catholic League.
That experience came in particularly helpful this year when the Crusaders dropped some tough games at the start of the season.
They didn’t panic. Some of that was due to the leaders. When things didn’t go as planned, nobody panicked.
“Last year, we had ups and downs and still won, so we weren’t worried,” said Chase, who will attend Temple next year. “We had some games we lost, but really close games. I knew if I kept everyone together, pulling guys up, I knew we were going to be good.
“Everyone trusted each other. Good locker room. Winning helped us last year. We have four starters returning. We have young guys who haven’t been there. They learned from us.”
As long as they learned.
“Not everyone’s role will show up in the box score, but every role matters,” said Evans, who is bound for Alabama in the fall. “We built something special and I’m grateful I got to be a part of it.”
And the good news is that they’re not just helping Judge this year.
“I think our future is probably one of the best in the entire league,” said Lilly, who will join his brother Anthony at Elizabethtown College next year. “Our coaches do a great job in bringing in young guys who can contribute as freshmen right away. They also bring in freshmen who might not play right away but when they’re juniors or seniors they are playing serious minutes.”
All three seniors are happy they helped get Judge to another PCL championship, and have them in position to defend the state championship.
They didn’t just do it for themselves.
“I had a lot of help,” Chase said. “My mom, she’s there every day pushing me when I don’t feel like going. She said you’ll never get the four years back. I took that in as I matured so every day, every practice I played like my last one. And the coaches. They’re a huge part of it. I got a great connection with everyone. But definitely my uncle, he’s there always. Jim Reeves is my uncle, he coaches and he played for Judge the last time they won before last year. I have a lot of help.”
“My family, they always support me no matter what,” Evans said. “If I’m playing a lot or not, they always help me. I got this position by grinding every day with my buddies and by myself. My coaches and my teammates, too. They pushed me. It’s been a great four years.”
“This past year my father passed away so I do everything in his honor now,” Lilly said. “All my coaches throughout my time playing helped me get where I am today. And obviously goes without saying my family who are a big part of my life.
“I just want to thank Father Judge basketball for everything. The bond here is unmatched and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
