When the Helias Crusaders take to the court today in Columbia, they'll be appearing in their third Final Four in Josh Buffington's eight seasons as head coach.
"Each group is special, but each group is so different," Buffington said.
The Crusaders got to the Final Four in Buffington's first year, the 2008-09 season. Helias got wins against Logan-Rogersville and Aurora to reach Columbia, then fell to St. Francis Borgia in the semifinals before beating Miller Career Academy in the third-place game.
"Our first year, we came into a pretty talented group that had struggles the year before, but we found a way to mesh in Year 1 and set the tone for the program with the new staff," Buffington said.
In the 2013-14 season, the Crusaders won thrillers against St. Charles (by one point) and Normandy (by six) to make it to Mizzou Arena. The Crusaders then lost a three-overtime heartbreaker to Republic in the semifinals before regrouping for a single-overtime win against Farmington to claim third.
"In "14, that was a dynamic, explosive team that was very talented on paper that made a solid run at the end of the year after we had had some late-season struggles. So that was special," Buffington said.
After returning the bulk of that team, the Crusaders failed to return to Columbia last season, losing in the district final. That seemed to spur this season's squad, which hasn't ever been ranked and that has claimed state playoff wins against St. Francis Borgia and Glendale.
"This team has flown under the radar since last season ended," Buffington said. "At times you may watch us warm up and think, "They're big, but I don't know how good they look.' But the way we play together, our unselfish play, and the way we are poised and play with composure through adversity is what makes it so special."