Was it the luck of the Irish that brought Peoria Notre Dame boys basketball a regional title last season?
Who knows. Regardless, the Irish feel like that could be replicated again this year.
PND didn’t have the start to the 2024-25 season as they hoped for. After a stretch of 12 losses in 13 games between Dec. 7 and Jan. 14, the Irish stood on their remaining limbs with a 4-14 record.
That didn’t stop them from continuing their growth and development as a team. After all, only two starters returned from that regional championship team a year ago. PND then went on a three-game win streak that ignited a spark after key wins over fellow Class 2A opponents Normal U-High and Bloomington Central Catholic and conference foe Danville.
“I think the realization that we need to play hard on both ends of the court for 32 minutes to be able to compete,” head coach Tom Lacher said on his team’s turnaround. “Basketball season in Illinois is a long season. So you’ve got to somehow balance things out. Don’t be too results-driven early on and more process-driven, especially when you’re like us, a smaller school.”