The Finke sisters made high school history by sharing the varsity basketball court, continuing a family connection to athletics and Marian University.
Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School experienced a rare moment earlier this season when four sisters took the court together for the girls’ varsity basketball team.
Sawyer Finke, a senior; Berkley Finke, a junior; Harpar Finke, a sophomore; and Owen Finke, a freshman, all played in the same game, an uncommon occurrence in high school basketball and a moment that drew an enthusiastic response from teammates, students, and fans.
The sisters, who have grown up playing sports together, bring natural chemistry to the court. That familiarity is the result of years spent practicing, competing, and supporting one another, both in athletics and at home.
Their parents, Laura Finke and Marian University Vice President of Institutional Advancement John Finke, say the lessons learned through team sports extend far beyond the scoreboard.
“The biggest return on playing a sport is the lifelong lesson you learn.”
Cardinal Ritter head coach Jennifer DesJean said the sisters’ competitive spirit and shared experience have strengthened the team. Their ability to challenge one another in practice while remaining connected during games reflects a level of trust that can’t be taught.
Just as notable is how seamlessly that bond extends to their teammates. This season’s varsity squad has embraced a strong sense of unity, creating an environment where connection and encouragement are as important as performance.
For the Finke family, the season represents a rare opportunity to watch all four daughters compete together on one court, something that isn’t often possible in youth or high school athletics.
While the season will eventually come to an end, the experience of sharing the varsity basketball court will remain a defining memory for the sisters and a distinctive chapter in Cardinal Ritter basketball history, one that also reflects the values of teamwork, leadership, and community long championed at Marian University.