As the clock hit double zeroes on February 17 at Kellenberg Memorial High School, the Chaminade Flyers celebrated an 11-point victory over the Firebirds to finish their regular season at 9-3 in the NSCHSAA.
With the win, the Crimson and Gold grabbed the top seed in the NSCHSAA playoffs, creating a two-win path to the 13th league title in program history.
However, despite this accomplishment, the Flyers know that the road back to the top of the league won't be easy.
"The number-one seed is a good thing for us mentally, but externally in this league, it means virtually nothing," explained star guard Kyle Dillon. "We've had close games with the two bottom teams in the league. I really think this is the most competitive and talented the league has been in a very long time."
"Getting the number-one seed was important - it is always a goal to start the year," added head coach Dan Feeney. "At the same time, being ready to play, showing up, and playing well in the playoffs is most important."
Both Marianist teams had stagnant starts on the offensive end, shooting a combined 28.6% in the first frame. Most of the offensive output came from Chaminade's Dillon and Kellenberg's Luke O'Connor, who each totaled seven first-quarter points. After a defensive-minded first frame, Chaminade led the Firebirds, 12-9.
The second quarter was much more efficient. Although Kellenberg shot 50%, Chaminade controlled a one-point halftime lead primarily due to the offensive efforts of Dillon, who led all scorers with 12 first-half points.
"This was a tough road league game, as expected," said Feeney. "Kyle led us, like he has all year, but we needed a group effort to pull away."
That group effort started with a blazing beginning to the third quarter, when the Flyers drained four three-pointers. Suddenly, with 2:50 to play in the period, the Firebirds faced a double-digit deficit. They would respond with a frame-finishing 7-3 run, but Chaminade still held a six-point edge.
The fourth quarter was all about Lucas Dillon, Kyle's younger brother, who had been relatively quiet up to this point. Despite being one of the Flyers' most prominent scorers this season, he put up just five shot attempts through the contest's first three quarters.
In the final frame, the superstar sophomore flipped a switch, lighting up the Firebirds' defense from distance. The Bayside product - who had 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter - sealed the deal on a Chaminade victory by sinking two triples in the final three minutes to put the Firebirds away, 59-48.
"It felt good to have a good performance in the game that helped us secure the one-seed. I'm hoping this continues in the playoffs," said Dillon. "My shots were falling, and my teammates had confidence in me with the ball."
"Lucas has continued to grow throughout the season. He is our best player, and he is still learning how good he can be," praised Feeney. "He went 15:55 without attempting a shot in the first half; his aggressiveness makes us a different team."
With a first-round bye secured, the Flyers - who last won a last league crown in 2024 - now look ahead to next Tuesday's league semifinals, a place they failed to reach in 2025 after a 46-42 quarterfinals loss to Kellenberg.
"The mentality doesn't change. We need to keep our foot on the gas pedal and continue to fix the little cracks within us so that we can be ready for Tuesday and beyond," asserted the elder Dillon, who was a starter on 2024's title-winning team. "We just have to handle things one at a time and keep more of a focus on us rather than any outside noises."
"We need to just keep the same mindset we have had all year," affirmed Feeney. "If we do that, we will have a shot."
