Chaminade's motto is Fortes in Unitate. It's Latin for "strength in unity."

This phrase isn't just a school-wide saying, but also the mindset for the 2025-26 varsity basketball team, which shows day-in and day-out why its success so far this season has been built on the foundation of such unity.

Everyone who follows the squad knows Kyle Dillon and Michael Wede, but what about the other seven seniors?  

This group is led by Ian Laurencin and Peter Tagios III, two third-year varsity players whose seasons have been altered by tough lower-body injuries. Although neither has stepped on the court during a regular-season contest this year, both have found a way to positively impact the team - a hungry group hoping to bring a championship to Mineola after last season's early postseason exit. 

These efforts started with the two upperclassmen organizing a number of bonding activities during the team's recent trip to Springfield, Massachusetts. On the bus, Laurencin gathered everyone to play the mobile game Among Us, which instantly livened conversation on the way up I-95. Later, at a rest stop, Tagios assembled the squad around a claw machine, where he tried to win a pair of Apple AirPods. As he maneuvered the machine's claw, the team buzzed with excitement. 

"These moments are definitely important because it shows the kind of connection we have on and off the court," said Laurencin. "This connection allows the team to be one unit that works together in order to focus on the main goal of winning the New York state championship."

Although efforts to snag the AirPods ultimately proved fruitless, the pair set the tone for the team's practice once they hit the hardwood a few hours later. Both players helped the execution of different halfcourt sets by reminding teammates of where to be on the court. Then, they encouraged the rest of the squad during a team scrimmage, creating a competitive atmosphere in which the group could thrive.

"I show up to every practice, game, and scrimmage knowing that even though I can't be on the court, my three-year varsity experience can still impact our team's winning," said Tagios. "I have given advice and guided some guys to try to give them insight on what it is like to play for Coach Feeney and how to play your role. I just want to win, no matter how big or small my impact is."

As gametime approached, three more seniors took center stage during the Flyers' Saturday morning warmups at Springfield Central High School: Daniel Doyle, John DeLuca and Ryan Fennelly. This trio riled up the squad with energy-filled screams that cascaded throughout the gym, so much so that head coach Daniel Feeney could hear it from the locker room.

Fennelly - one of three Flyer captains - punctuated these warmups with a remarkable speech to inspire his teammates in the face of a tough Bishop Hendricken team.

"Everyone tries to be as loud as possible and give 110% during the warmup. This is essential, as it gets the group engaged for any obstacles to come," explained Fennelly. "During the final huddle, I usually try to reiterate our team's goals and aspirations for the year. I try to be as vocal and focused on the little things during the warmups at all times."

During the contest, the duo of Laurencin and Tagios cheered on their teammates with both a "defense" chant and celebrations after key baskets. These responses both frustrated opposing players and were clearly appreciated by others on the Flyers' bench, particularly Doyle and DeLuca.

Doyle, an Iona University basketball commit, and DeLuca, a first-year varsity player, each made additional impacts during timeouts, erupting with excitement and handing out water bottles as their teammates sat down. The bench got so loud at times that the officials needed to give the team multiple warnings during the game.

"Our bench plays a crucial role in every game, and it does a phenomenal job of staying dialed in and laser-focused through the entirety. Getting loud and chanting can help the players on the court and sometimes confuse the other team, as well," explained DeLuca. "Everyone on our team knows his role, and I know mine, so I try to give all my effort into being the best teammate I can be."

Rounding out the squad's seven seniors are Emmett Nelson and Gregory Wyckoff, two players who immediately make their presence felt when they get on the court.

For example, Nelson made numerous key plays in the weekend's first game against Bishop Hendricken. During the first half, the Rockville Centre-native forced a shot-clock violation and an illegal screen - two things that don't show up on the postgame stat report. Additionally, he set up his teammates for numerous easy buckets.

"As a junior last year who didn't play much, I was very quiet and never really talked. This year, I'm trying to get the guys who were in my position to break out of their comfort zone and really try to bring this team together," reflected Nelson. "When you look down at our bench, everyone is cheering. I feel like I've done a great job with going in and doing the things we might not be doing well."

Wyckoff, on the other hand, collected a few rebounds and provided ferocious defense in limited action during Chaminade's 68-57 victory.

"It's all energy and intensity from us due to the brotherhood and culture that we have built in the locker room and at practice. I just want me and everyone else to make an impact, even if it's not always on the court," said Wyckoff. "The impact comes from making sure to keep our heads up high for our guys, bringing that energy to keep them pushing, and trying to bring that competitive balance."

Later that night, several players competed against each other in NBA 2K26 on DeLuca and Doyle's Xbox video game system. Once again, this created a fun atmosphere away from the court in which players could enjoy themselves. 

"Hanging out with the guys and playing 2K really shows the type of team we are," explained Doyle. "We're not just a team that just shows up to practice and suits up for games. We have a real chemistry on and off the court that truly makes the team feel like a brotherhood."

The next day, the Flyers took on Pittsfield High School. During this matchup, the bench energy reached an even higher level, as the warmups, bench chants, and in-game celebrations were even more spirited. This allowed the Flyers to neutralize the relative home-court advantage of the Generals, who did not need to travel out of state for the contest. On multiple occasions, opposing players directed remarks towards the Chaminade bench, showing their level of frustration as the Crimson and Gold celebrated big buckets. 

As the buzzer sounded to signal a 60-53 Chaminade win, a Pittsfield player commented that Chaminade had the "bench of the year," recognizing how important the Flyers' reserves are to the team's success.

"Sometimes, it's hard to come out full of energy every game, especially in the middle of a long stretch, but the guys on the bench that show energy turn it into fuel for me to play better and harder not only for the guys on the court, but for all of us," said Dillon, the Flyers' leading scorer. "It always means a lot knowing I have their support and trust."

As they've done all season, these seven seniors impacted the games in Springfield in spite of not getting on the court as much as they likely hoped.

"Having a group of guys that truly care about the success of the team is one of the biggest advantages to coaching here. While many kids, understandably so, are consumed with minutes and playing time, we have a group of guys that care about winning more than playing," said Feeney. "The impact from each and every person on this team is noticeable and can be summed up best by what one player said this weekend: 'We just really like each other.' It is an honor to coach a group of selfless young men that show up with a level of professionalism and have found a way to enjoy it while not always getting their way.  That is what makes working with them so much fun."

After the two wins in Springfield, the 12-5 Crimson and Gold now look ahead to a formidable league stretch, with seven CHSAA contests to end the regular season. The results of these games will determine the Flyers' seeding in February's playoffs. 

With fortes in unitate always in the back of its mind, Chaminade continues looking to its "bench of the year" to provide the positive peripherals that are so often a prelude to postseason prowess.