From eating certain foods to wearing the same socks, it’s all about sticking to the same routines and pregame rituals on the undefeated Bishop Stangs boys’ basketball team.

For three out of the four team captains, that means sticking to a specific eating regimine on gameday. Damien Perry always eats a banana and drinks a pedialyte. Justin Lopes heads over to Cumberland Farms to get his TruMoo chocolate milk and pepperoni pizza. Just before his game he munches on a banana and downs a glacier cherry Gatorade.

Samuel Golden is known for going to his grandparents house, taking a nap and then eating a peanut butter sandwich. He also said he has been wearing the same socks all season, but that he washes the Under Armor Notre Dame socks before each game.

Malik Morris was the only captain who didn’t mention food as part of his pregame routine. Instead, he jams out to a remix by Johnie Alcatraz to get him in the right mindset.

The superstitions appear to be working, as the Spartans currently hold a historic 17-0 undefeated record. It’s the best record teh team has had since 1971’s 17-1 finish, according to four-year coach Colbey Santos.

This season, Santos is noticing more momentum building from fans. His favorite memory of was a game against Martha Vineyard Regional High School.

“I think it had to have been Friday when the game ended, just the amount of support we got,” Santos said. “When I first come out for the game and I see the principal there, the athletic director there, some of their teachers were there, the hockey team is there and just the whole school behind these guys. There’s no better feeling then that and I think these guys really enjoy the support.”

Perry and Lopes’ high school careers were started by their parents, and naturally escalated from there. For Golden, his love came from working hard at getting better year after year.

“We just did it in recess when I was younger and I was pretty tall so I was good at it and I just kept getting better,” Golden said. “I fell in love with it in sixth grade. We lost our championship; it might not have been league or whatever and so it made me want to get better.”

A strong relationship among teammates is a driving force. Teammates spend most of their time together, sharing classes, going to lunch, in after-school study hall, heading to practice and then hanging out on the weekends. Lopes said the time spent together makes them stronger even when they butt heads.

“Since we hang so much as teammates we argue a lot, when we argue it might affect us but we get over it and we overcome the problems,” Lopes said.

For Morris, the bond they’ve built will be greatly missed when he transfers to a prep school in Maine next year.

“The bond that I have built here is like no other,” Morris said. “The guys are actually like my brothers. If somebody asked me who this guy is or anybody on my time like that’s my brother. It’s definitely going to be emotional when it comes time for it.”

Bishop Stang’s run at an undefeated season will be tested in several upcoming games next week. The team faces Bishop Connolly on February 17, and will compete in the Apponequet Tourney to end the regular season on February 19 and 21.