While the basketball program has had more success in recent years than the football program, it has been historically average. Since 2005, the program has posted a 0.500 record, winning only one state title in the 1980s. Heading into the 2025-2026 basketball season, the Knights were expected to perform poorly because of their move to Class C and transitioning to a new coach. In every preseason poll, including those from MaxPreps and the World-Herald, the team was not in the top ten.
The Knights ranked number six in Class C1 and had a 16-9 record under first-year head coach Todd Taravella. This program is on the rise and may compete for a state title in the coming years.
Mount Michael has beaten two teams by 20 points or more and multiple teams by 8 to 12 points. Young stars such as juniors Connor Sall, Miles Wewel, and Jack Burke put up the majority of the points, averaging 13.0, 9.1, and 8.8, respectively. These players, among others, helped Mount Michael score 1178 points, 100 points above the national average. Contributing to the points are the 323 two-pointers made and 439 field goals made, both above the national average.
Defensively, the Knights are just as good. Mount Michael is above the national average in both defensive rebounds and steals, with 400 and 190, respectively.
Even though the team is already performing above its expectations, it will likely be even better next year. While they are losing seniors Noah Stricklett and Derek Brewer after the season, they will keep and continue to develop the juniors, who have contributed the majority of the production. The juniors will also have another year to mesh with the new schemes and strategies Coach Taravella uses.
Coach Taravella has also done an incredible job of motivating and preparing the team each week. There is little doubt that he will continue to do this throughout his entire career at Mount Michael.