As they make their way through the Class 1A playoffs, the St. Aloysius Flashes have had something special looking over them. A mascot of sorts, to guide them and inspire them.

It’s not an injured teammate they’re trying to win for, nor a coach or friend. It’s not even human.

It’s C.J., a one-ton buffalo from South Mississippi.

During their long trips to Salem for the Division 7-1A Tournament last week, the Flashes stopped at the same gas station every time. On all four trips, there was a buffalo grazing in a pasture behind the building.

&#8220Every time we went by, somebody yelled at the buffalo,” senior guard Marsh Willis said. &#8220It became our mascot. We call him C.J. It stands for energy drinks – Crunk Juice.”

After three division tournament wins, the first division tournament championship in school history, and a win in the South State satellite game that has them just two more victories away from a trip to the state tournament, the Flashes are wild about buffaloes.

The players hung a picture of a buffalo on the wall of their gym before Tuesday’s satellite game against Pisgah. After St. Al won 70-61, the first part of its victory celebration was for each player to run over and touch the picture.

There’s even a lighthearted movement to change the school mascot from Flashes to Buffaloes.

&#8220The boys said it’s our lucky charm. As long as they think it is, whatever works in their head is fine with me,” laughed St. Al coach Penn Majors.

A little buffalo luck certainly hasn’t hurt the Flashes (21-8).

Chase Smith hit a shot with 15 seconds left, then a last-second shot by West Lincoln rimmed out to give St. Al a 52-51 win in the Division 7-1A Tournament championship game. On Tuesday, St. Al had 30 turnovers but shot 74 percent from the field to scratch out the win over Pisgah.

Up next is Mount Olive tonight in the South State tournament at Stringer. While a little more good fortune would be nice, the Flashes aren’t relying on it. They know it’ll take skill, and not just superstition, to keep winning and advancing.

&#8220It’s more of a fun thing. We’re not depending on it or anything,” Willis said. &#8220We still have to come out and play hard.”

That means shooting like they did against Pisgah, but not being as careless with the basketball. St. Al had three turnovers in the final 30 seconds that almost allowed the Dragons to erase a 10-point deficit.

Majors said ballhandling isn’t one of the Flashes’ strengths.

&#8220We’ve been known to be a little loosey-goosey with the ball,” Majors said. &#8220This group’s strong point is not ball handling. As long as we play, it’s going to be an issue.”

St. Al’s girls team will also begin play in the South State tournament at Pisgah, tonight at 8:30 against Thomastown. It’s the first time both teams have advanced this far in the same season and, like the boys, the Lady Flashes have needed a little luck to get there.

The Lady Flashes (22-8) eked out a 55-54 win over Bogue Chitto in the division tournament championship game, then survived a 49-47 overtime thriller against South Leake in the satellite game on Monday night.

&#8220I just don’t think it gets any easier from here, unfortunately,” St. Al coach Kyt Bonner said.

Sarah Kerut scored 29 points in both games for St. Al, and almost single-handedly led them back from an 11-point deficit late in the first half against South Leake. She scored the Lady Flashes’ first nine points of the second half, and 23 of their 33 points after halftime.