by Macade Maxwell

This season was definitely one to remember for the 2023-2024 St. John Bosco High School basketball program. After an emotional rollercoaster of a season, the Braves managed to stay poised and focused, allowing them to achieve their ultimate goal by capping off their season with a CIF Division One State Championship. 

The team’s journey to a championship would not have been possible without their setbacks. With a long regular season full of trials and tribulations and following a disappointing run in the Open Division Playoffs, the Braves needed to maintain their edge to make a state playoff run, approaching each game with a fearless mindset and knowing that it was win or go home.

Following a first round bye in the state tournament, the Braves matched up against Windward High School. These two schools previously faced each other earlier in the season, where the Braves blew out Windward in the championship game of the Bosco Winter Classic by 35 points with a final score of 88-53.

But this time, Windward came for revenge. The Wildcats made this game a close one, but the Braves managed to come out on top, winning 65-63

“We knew it was going to be a hard one, especially coming out 13 days off and coming off a hard loss,” said Head Coach Matt Dunn. “I was so proud of our guys. We had a bunch of chances to give in to it, but we just kept plugging away, playing hard and making the right play, and we did just enough.”

The regional semi-final game was no easier than the previous one, matching up against the highly ranked Damien Spartans. The Spartans, who were once led by Coach Dunn before he started at Bosco, made sure that they gave the Braves a challenge, especially their seven-foot center. It was a close one all game, but the Braves came away with the victory, winning 63-59. 

“I took a lot. I mean it started [that] week with practice, and we played hard [the night of the game] and got it done. But I’m feeling more confident in my shot. My teammates are going to be there for me and create opportunities for open shots,” said sophomore Dominic Perfetti after his 14-point performance in the win against Damien. 

The Braves needed just one more game to make it to the CIF State Championship game, but standing in their way was league rival, the “Team in Red.” The “Team in Red” is a familiar opponent with a history that runs deep. This year, the “Team in Red” had the Braves number in the regular season, beating them in both matchups, once in Santa Ana and once at Crypto.com Arena. 

“[We] wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Obviously they beat us in the first two matchups, but we didn’t get the chance to play at our house,” said Coach Dunn.

Dropping two league games to the “Team in Read” didn’t faze the Braves because they knew that they would have to come to their house, The Thunderdome, where the Braves are most dominant against the “Team in Red.”

As the final buzzer sounded, the Braves came out on top in a nail-biting overtime win, 71-68. This punched their ticket to the championship game where they would face San Ramon Valley High School in Sacramento at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. 

“It took every single one of us. We all played a role,” said junior Chris Komin. “Guarding [the “Team in Red”] was tough. They have a very structured defense, but we had to keep our minds in the game and be ready every play.”

In the season finale against San Ramon Valley, the stakes couldn’t possibly have been higher. With a state title on the line, it is safe to say that the Braves put their all into this game, at one point holding a 17-point lead. The Braves never looked back, winning 78-62.

Leading the way to victory for the Braves was senior Loyola Chicago signee Jack Turner, who dropped 20 points in his final high school game. Following Turner was number one nationally ranked sophomore Brandon McCoy, Jr., who scored 18 points. 

As the final buzzer sounded, the Braves secured the program’s second ever CIF State title, the first under Coach Dunn. Their journey to this point may have been a long and tiring one, but it is least to say that it was all worth it in the end. 

Completing their season with a record of 28-7 in addition to a solid 8-2 record in league play, the Braves left their mark as the 26th ranked team in the nation and the third ranked in the state of California, according to MaxPreps. 

The sweat, the tears, the countless hours, the ups and the downs all led to a moment of success where memories will last for a lifetime. The 2023-2024 Braves basketball team is a representation of a group who all came together and worked toward one common goal. 

“This was everything I wanted, and we put everything on the line,” said senior Amiri Meadows. “Obviously, playing with great players, I do what I can to help, contributing in multiple ways like getting our team started and just having that mentality of giving everything I got.”

That caps off a remarkable season for the Braves, as a group of hard-working athletes left their legacy in St. John Bosco High School history. Although the season may be over, it doesn’t just end here. Be prepared for the Braves to come back stronger and better than ever next year, setting a new standard for Bosco Basketball.