Following a heartbreaking loss to Germantown High School in the regional playoffs last year, the White Station boys’ basketball team was ready for the start of the 2013-14 season. They knew that they would face high expectations but were anxious to avenge their loss to the Red Devils and earn another chance to win a state championship.

To begin the season, the Spartans found themselves nationally ranked in multiple polls and atop The Commercial Appeal’s “Dandy Dozen” rankings for the region. With this national recognition also came national hype. Yet Coach Jesus Patino said that White Station’s illustrious basketball history prepared the team because “it was nothing new.” The Spartans’ seven seniors have kept the team focused and prepared while also providing valuable leadership for the younger players.

But, after winning the Iolani Prep Classic in Hawaii and beginning the season with a 14-0 start, the Spartans found themselves in unchartered territory after being ranked third in the nation.

They also entered the Bass Pro Tournament in Springfield, Missouri with the possibility of playing number one ranked Montverde Academy of Florida. After wins over Wesleyan Christian (North Carolina) and tenth ranked Fairfax Paul VI (Virginia), the Spartans advanced to the tournament’s championship. They had the opportunity to seize the number one ranking from Montverde; however, the Spartans were defeated by Montverde, falling 60 to 73.

A theme of White Station’s year has been resilience. They showed resilience in overcoming the loss to Germantown last year. They showed resilience in attaining the highest national ranking in school history despite every school wanting to knock off the Spartans.
After a hard-fought win over Overton High School, a buzzer beating victory over Sunrise Christian (Kansas), and back-to-back victories over Hamilton High School, the Spartans are primed to start a new streak. How else did you think these resilient Spartans respond to their first defeat of the season?

Patino said the team learned from last season that “they can be beaten any given night” and “have approached every game with more tenacity in order to not go through (losing) again.”