Jesuit Basketball – A Strong Start to the Season

Jesuit Basketball will close out non-district play following the Diamondbacker Invitational in San Antonio. Through the start of their 2024-2025 season, the Rangers have found much success, claiming an overall record of 6-4 and the Knights of Columbus Bob Stras Memorial Classic Championship.

Coppell

The Jesuit Dallas basketball team opened the season with a commanding 73-63 victory over Coppell at Walsh Gym, marking their 10th season-opening win in the past 12 years. The Rangers set the tone early with an 11-0 run and fended off a late comeback attempt by the Cowboys. Senior Caleb Steger ’25 scored a game-high 23 points with a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, including a deciding run in the fourth quarter. Senior Michael Grant ’25 had 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Senior Kevin Butera ’25 added 11 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. The Rangers forced Coppell to 40 percent shooting while scoring 18 points off 11 forced turnovers. Jesuit’s balanced offense and a strong defensive effort ensured a promising start to the season.

Allen

Jesuit Dallas had an uphill battle against state-ranked No. 2 Allen, as the Rangers fell 84-61 for their first loss of the season. Senior Caleb Steger ’25 led the Rangers with 16 points, while senior Michael Grant ’25 and junior Cooper Jensen ’26 contributed 13 points each. Michael Grant ’25 and senior Kevin Butera ’25 paced the team on defense with four rebounds and two blocks each, while senior Ethan Mahowald ’25 added a team-high five assists.

Rowlett

“Phenomenal team effort and chemistry” – Rylan Archer ’25

Rockwall

Jesuit Dallas made a valiant comeback in a double-overtime loss, 70-68, against Rockwall. In the defeat, Michael Grant ’25 had a career-high 33 points with five three-pointers, 10 rebounds for a double-double, three blocks, and two steals. Seniors Caleb Steger ’25 and Charlie Peters ’25 scored eight each; Charlie Peters ’25 added six rebounds and two steals. Junior William Alexander ’26 contributed through his fourth-quarter shooting to force overtime and finished with seven points and a team-high five assists. Senior Kevin Butera ’25 scored five points, junior Cooper Jensen ’26 hit a three-pointer, while senior Ethan Mahowald ’25 and junior Justin Fern ’26 had two points each.

Lincoln

Jesuit Dallas senior Caleb Steger ’25 became the first Ranger since the 2020-21 season to reach the 1,000 career point mark, reaching the milestone as Jesuit Dallas defeated Dallas Lincoln, 74-49. Caleb Steger ’25 recorded 26 points in the win, hitting 9-of-17 shots, including five from behind the arc, and finishing the contest with 11 rebounds for a double-double.

The Ranger defense stifled Lincoln throughout the contest, holding the Tigers without a three-ball in both the second and third quarters and holding Lincoln to a 26.7 percent clip from beyond the arc in the game. Jesuit controlled the glass, out-rebounding Lincoln, 48-18 in the contest.

“We are getting better and better each time we play with each other” – Robert Prager ’25

Highland Park

Jesuit Dallas fell to Highland Park 52-40 heading into hosting the 61st Annual Knights of Columbus Bob Stras Dallas Classic.

Senior Micheal Grant ’25 led the Rangers with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. Caleb Steger ’25 chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds. Senior Charlie Peters matched those seven rebounds, added three assists and a block and contributed four points as well to round out the double-digit scorers.

Knights of Columbus Bob Stras Memorial Classic

Lovejoy

Jesuit defeated the 10-1 Lovejoy team 54-50, as senior Caleb Steger ’25 led the Rangers with 28 points to pace the Rangers. Steger ’25 went 7-of-14 from the field, making four three-pointers, and was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Junior Cooper Jensen ’26 drilled two clutch three-pointers and had eight points while adding a team-high three steals. Michael Grant ’25 anchored the Ranger defense with six rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. The Rangers took advantage of 11 Lovejoy turnovers, converting them for 16 points, and iced the game at the free-throw line by hitting 76.5% from the line (13-of-17).

Frisco Memorial

In a wild Teddy Bear Toss game, Jesuit survived a feisty Memorial team, 66-58. Caleb Steger ’25 again paced with 24 points, with Michael Grant ’25 adding 17 points, including the three-pointer that sent the crowd into a frenzy in the first quarter. Cooper Jensen ’26 scored nine points, and Ethan Mahowald ’25 added eight points. Senior Charlie Peters ’25 rounded out the scoring with two free throws. 

St. Marks

Jesuit Dallas won its second straight Knights of Columbus Bob Stras Dallas Classic in thrilling fashion, taking a 56-49 overtime decision against St.Mark’s. Tournament MVP Caleb Steger ’25 came through with a clutch 23-point effort, including a three-pointer from the top of the key to tie the game and send it to overtime. Senior Michael Grant ’25 came up with 12 points, and seniors Ethan Mahowald ’25 and Charlie Peters ’25 chipped in seven points apiece. Cooper Jensen ’26, an all-tournament team selection, added three points, while senior Kevin Butera ’25 and junior William Alexander ’26 completed the scoring with two points each.

This marks the first time since the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons that Jesuit has won back-to-back titles in the storied home tournament, where they have posted a 10-2 record since 2021.

Walnut Grove

Jesuit Dallas had its three-game winning streak come to a close with a 56-49 loss to Walnut Grove. After opening a 16-10 lead following the first quarter, the Wildcats rallied in the second quarter and held off the Rangers down the stretch. Senior Michael Grant ’25 paced Jesuit with 19 points, followed by senior Ethan Mahowald ’25, who had nine points, and junior Cooper Jensen ’26, who chipped in six. 

“Our Competitive non district schedule helped us tremendously in finding out our struggles and being able to grow from them heading into districts” – Caleb Steger ’25

The Rangers will move on to the 2024 Diamondbacker Invitational in San Antonio, beginning the tournament with a Friday, December 13 game at 2:30 p.m. vs. host San Antonio Reagan.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned to The Roundup for more Rangers playoff basketball coverage.