TAMPA, Fla. -- Neal Goldman has coached Jesuit basketball for 33 years, but this year he experienced a first. 

Two of his players were co-valedictorians. 

"Once that came out, we weren’t surprised, but it was pretty special to hear that,” Goldman said. "It was reflective of everything that Spencer and Bennett brought to the basketball program while they were here.”

To be at the top of your class takes a certain competitive drive. Something Bennett Andersen and Spencer Farfante have always had. 

"Part of it is knowing that I could do those things and once I see that I can accomplish something, I feel like a strong urge to do that,” Andersen said. “I almost can’t let myself not accomplish something if I feel like I can."

Andersen and Farfante traveled similar paths from the very start. They attended school together since Pre-K and played on the same basketball team since 5th grade. 

"We’ve always been close between school, court, outside of school,” Farfante said. 

Andersen agreed, they have a lot in common. 

"We’ve been in the same places and he was kind of the one person with the same values and same interests that I had,” Anderson said.

But they also have their differences. 

"Actually very opposite players totally,” Goldman explained. "Bennett’s attacking, aggressive, athletic. Spencer’s more of a technician, grit and toughness, always in the right spot.” 

Both used their strengths to help Jesuit win its 9th straight district championship. 

"Both very effective. Spencer did great this season, record for most charges in a game and in a season,” Goldman said. "Bennett had some of the most spectacular dunks, which we’re not used to seeing in Jesuit basketball, so both stood out in those areas.” 

Off the court, they pushed each other too. 

Andersen and Farfante were both National AP Scholars, earning straight A’s, which made them tri-valedictorians with another student. 

"Having those two guys next to you, I’m a pretty competitive person, but it didn’t ever feel competitive with them,” Andersen said. "They were helping me get to where I wanted to be and I was helping them get to where they wanted to be.” 

Their lives continue to intertwine. Both will attend the University of Florida this fall. But their mark on Jesuit won’t soon be forgotten. 

"Rare as can be and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here, but 33 years, first time to see it,” Goldman said. “It’s special and certainly will always stand out in the history of Jesuit basketball and Jesuit high school.” 

A lifelong friendship that turned into a motivating force. 

Andersen said, his academic and athletic career wouldn’t have been the same without it. 

"It was what both of us needed and really pushed us both forward.”