SELMA, Ind. — Not even a cold, foggy night could keep the Wapahani Raiders from packing their home gymnasium on Saturday. The crowd is prepared to fill the stands again to celebrate this year's senior class.
This senior class has only lost 11 varsity games in their high school career so far. Along with adding a Class AA State Championship Runner-up.
The player's career is full of memories, but both coaches and players remember the years differently.
“I’ve just enjoyed being a coach,” head coach Matt Luce said. “[There are] guys that I’ve coached since first or second grade.”
Coach Luce said he got to witness the process of this group of kids growing into good players and even better players.
The players' memories go far beyond the court as well. Raiders’ senior Nate Luce has the rare honor of playing under his dad’s coaching.
“It’s definitely special,” Nate said. “Not just because of basketball, but because of who we are. He’s a cool dad.”
Despite sharing the historical run to State with his dad last season, Nate said that his favorite memory with this team came from a third-grade league championship. A championship that he still holds over teammates heads as bragging rights as a senior.
Some of those bragging rights are held over current teammates, whether he was truly playing them or not.
Camden Bell is a junior on the Wapahani team who denied being on the receiving end of the “Thunder Cats” team led by Nate. Despite not remembering the loss, he does still hold onto the times he spent with this group of seniors.
“It almost feels like we are the same age because you hang out with them just as much,” Bell said. “Being around those guys and just playing with your friends makes you feel alive.”
Bell added that the Chemistry that the team had developed is one of the reasons they have been so good. He said that the trust they have is what makes them want to work harder for each other.
The Raiders play their final home game against Daleville this Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Raiders will also celebrate senior night before this game.
Contact Josh Gabbard with comments at josh.gabbard@bsu.edu.
