JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Bishop Kenny's first game of the 2018-2019 season is Friday, November 30.
But the term "first" has taken on a whole new meaning for Jerry Buckley's team.
"We talked about a lot of different 'first's' that will happen this season," Buckley explained. "Just different... it's definitely, like they say, a 'new normal.'"
That's because it's the first season the Crusaders will play since the loss of their point guard, Dominic Allmond. The junior stand-out died in a single-car crash on August 24, 2018.
"Certainly it's the biggest challenge I've had to face in my coaching career," the 13-year head coach said. Much of Buckley's tenure at Bishop Kenny has been spent coaching alongside Dom's father, Byron Allmond, a long-time assistant coach with the program.
"It was a major loss of one of our brothers. He was one of the key factors of this team in bringing our offense, our defense, our [collaboration] together," Dom's back-court mate, senior Clayton Gallaher, said.
Although the Crusaders' have dedicated their season to their fallen teammate, they understand this season must also be "about them." Bishop Kenny finished 19-9 last year, falling in the Regional Semifinal to District rival Ribault.
"Last year we were the underdog. They didn't even have us in the top three in our District," Gallaher said, "and we make it all the way to Regional Semi's. Now we're at the top of the list. And they wanna come after us."
"Some teams might think we'll be emotional from what happened," senior Noah Semple explained. "But I think we just come out, play hard, we'll get the job done."
That's why a run at the school's first boys' basketball State Championship since 1957 isn't out of the question -- especially with how tight-knit they've become through the loss of one of their own.
"It's obviously not the way we wanted to get closer," Buckley said, "but it's been very inspirational to see how everyone's bonded -- not just as a team but also around the Allmond family and the school community."
And Friday night will mark another "first" step in bringing this community even closer.
Bishop Kenny opens the season Friday, November 30 at home against Ponte Vedra (2-2). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Crusaders will host a "Pink-Out" in Dominic Allmond's honor.