Varsity Basketball Reclaims the Jesuit Cup

Notably, Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich was in attendance, kicking off National Catholic Schools Week—an annual celebration since 1974 of Catholic education in the United States. 

 

Cardinal Cupich sat with Loyola's student section during the first half of the game and then with St. Ignatius's student section for the second half. At halftime, Loyola Luke Phillips ’18 conducted an exclusive interview on the High School Cube with the Cardinal. Phillips and Cardinal Cupich discussed the first two quarters of the game, and the Cardinal praised the defense of both teams. 

 

Because the game also corresponded with Loyola's Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week, varsity basketball players honored special educators in their lives by escorting them onto the court during halftime. During the game, faculty and staff members enjoyed a catered dinner with their families in a specially reserved sky box in the gym balcony.

 

Loyola's student section—decked in themed Hawaiian shirts—overflowed onto the balcony. Students kept the energy and excitement high as they exchanged cheers back and forth with the crowd from St. Ignatius.  

 

As the clock wound down in the fourth quarter, a close game came to a victorious end for the Ramblers, who pulled away with a final score of 47–36. With this win, Loyola reclaims the Jesuit Cup from St. Ignatius, which won in 2016 and 2015. Loyola won the two years prior, in 2014 and 2013. 

 

After the buzzer sounded, Loyola was presented with the coveted Jesuit Cup trophy. Senior Ramar Evans carried the trophy back to his teammates as students and Rambler fans joined the celebration at center court.