03 Feb 2024 Max Longing – St. Joseph (501 Basketball Team 2024)

Max Longing and the St. Joseph Bulldogs are working for a bounce-back year on the hard court.

“I am a very competitive person and love the competing side of basketball,” he said. “Our goal is to make it back to the playoffs and find success to make a deep run. To achieve this, our team has to work hard every day and continue to build chemistry and learn a winning pedigree of basketball.”

Longing had to step up last season as a junior when the Bulldogs faced adversity.

“Last year, Max was one of the leading scorers and the vocal leader when senior Jake Hill was injured,” said new St. Joseph Head Coach Andrew Beck. “He got a lot of time to lead the team as a junior. He was the primary ball handler for the team, and Coach Stanek leaned on him to run the offense and defense. When things are going good or bad, he is always there with words of encouragement and positive reinforcement. The guys look up to him, they listen to him, and they follow in his leadership.”

Longing also competes in baseball for St. Joseph. The diamond Bulldogs made it to the 1A state semifinals last year. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.

“Off the court, Max is the same as on the court; he is a great leader,” Beck said. “I’ve always been told the best leaders do what is right even when no one is watching, and that is Max.”