"This is a business trip, boys!" proclaimed senior forward Joseph Leyden as the eager Chaminade Flyers strutted into the Holiday Inn Express in Springfield, Massachusetts ahead of the 2025 Hoophall Classic.

The team sure treated it like one, finding a balance between work and fun throughout. Unfortunately for the Flyers, the trek to New England did not culminate in any hardware, as the team fell short to the New London Whalers, 57-46, in the weekend's final matchup.

"I think it's just, you know, we love traveling so much, and we have so much fun in the hotels, at dinner, and on the bus. But at the end of the day, we realize that we are here doing all this for the game," explained Leyden. "So, when it comes time for the game, we all just get up to it, we get so hype. We realize that's why we're here in the first place."

Leyden was right.

The players found fun outside of the gym, but when it was gametime, they locked in, providing spectators with two exciting games that both came down to the final minutes.

The opening affair was highlighted by a 9-0 Chaminade burst to start the fourth quarter in a game they had been trailing since the start. The run enabled them to defeat Bishop Hendricken from Rhode Island in a nailbiter, 55-52. In game two, the Flyers nearly erased an 18-point deficit, but their shots stopped falling when it mattered most in the tough loss to New London.

Still, the weekend proved to be a valuable experience for the Flyers, as the team enjoyed time together off the court while in Springfield.

On Saturday morning, the squad explored the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, which contained all types of basketball artifacts - including jerseys, balls, and sneakers from some of the sport's greatest players. There were also areas where the players compared their heights, wingspans, and hand sizes to those of the pros. Lastly, they got to shoot around on a court in the center of the museum - one which displayed replicas of old hoops (including a peach basket!) and an area where one could attempt dunks on different rims. 

The camaraderie continued at the team dinners. Friday night was spent at Outback Steakhouse after an intense practice. The next night's dinner was held at Buffalo Wild Wings, where the players laughed, joked, and watched the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders secure victories in the NFL playoffs. Even some of the players' family members joined in the fun at the restaurants. 

By the time it was time to return to New York, it was clear to all involved that the trip to Massachusetts had increased Chaminade's already-soaring team chemistry.

"I think they enjoy each other's company. It's a unique sport in our school - we don't practice until late, we don't play until 7:30 - so we spend a lot of time between 3:00 and when we go home with each other," reflected Dan Feeney, Chaminade's head coach. "It's a small group. We're tight - to the point like they literally are with my son the entire time, as well. Because of this amount of time, it is like a family for us."  

Teams with good chemistry are usually teams with good records. Although the Flyers' stands at just 9-5 thus far, they have played several strong teams and gained valuable experiences along the way - and a month still remains in the regular season.

If they can keep up this camaraderie, the rest of the NSCHSAA might find the chemistry of these two-time defending champs to be nothing short of explosive come playoff time.