Moments after St. Aloysius lost in the first round of the MAIS District 3-AAA boys basketball tournament, 62-54 to Park Place Christian on Tuesday night, coach Eddie Pickle offered a bold and surprising prediction.

“We’re going to take this thing next year, I can guarantee it,” Pickle said. “I’m putting it on record right now. We’re winning this tournament next year.”

Despite the gut-wrenching end to the season and a near-.500 record, Pickle was excited for the future. There was no doubt in his mind that the loss didn’t spell the end for the Flashes, but rather a beginning, and that his core would go on to do bigger things next season.

“I’m sad the season is over, but I am excited about the future,” Pickle said.

There’s good reason for Pickle to be optimistic.

There are no seniors on the roster, so not only will all five starters return, but Pickle won’t lose any of his bench players while possibly adding some depth. The team that narrowly lost in the tournament this year will come back next season with another year of experience and further development to their team chemistry, which was already a plus.

“These kids, they love each other. Even though they fight, they fight like brothers, and that’s good,” Pickle said. “They play hard together, they know each other, and we’re only going to get better.”

The Flashes held a lead over Park Place with under five minutes remaining in Tuesday’s back-and-forth game. Even with guard Thomas Trichell knocking down two clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, Park Place was able to knock down some key free throws and come away with the victory.

“They got rebounds that they shouldn’t have gotten,” Pickle said. “I think that was the difference. They got some putbacks that they should not have gotten. We game-planned well for them, but I have no size and my point guard (Phillip Upshaw) is out with the flu. We missed him tonight.”

Pickle said his players stepped up well to cover for Upshaw’s absence, but that they needed more rest during the course of the game. His depth was also hurt by an injury to one of his post players, and guard Christopher Herron-Albert fighting through an illness to play.

Trichell led the Flashes in scoring with 12 points, with Herron-Albert adding 10. Braxton Chewning and James Trichell scored eight points a piece. For Park Place, Tyler Martins had 25 points and Jamal Hughes nine.

“These guys are awesome, I’ve loved coaching them,” Pickle said.