May 01, 2019 at 11:22AM
A large crowd gathered in front of Central High School on Tuesday evening for a block party to celebrate the Class 5A girls state basketball champion Falcons.
The Central choir sang and both the cheerleaders and marching band performed before the Falcons were escorted to the school, riding in the back of pickup trucks and greeted by their fans.
Central won its first state championship since 1996 and fourth in program history with a 68-65 victory over Madison Academy in March. It was the Falcons' second consecutive trip to the Class 5A state finals and third in four years.
"I think I really began to realize (as the team arrived), 'Hey, we are state champions,' because that has taken a moment to set in because after losing two it takes longer to settle in," Central coach Michael Rivers said. "The nice thing about it is we did it. We did it. Not just Central High School, but Central High School and the Falcon family. We did it."
After team introductions and speeches by players, coaches and administration, the celebration continued with both an emcee and live music. Central fans stood in a long line waiting for signed copies of state championship posters from the players.
Juniors Sakyia White and Quintasia Leatherwood sat side by side and smiled as they signed autographs, soaking it all in.
"It was a great moment and everybody came out to support us," White said.
And the atmosphere also served as extra motivation heading into next season.
"It makes you want to work harder," said Leatherwood, the Class 5A Player of the Year.
A tent was set up in the background of the parking lot, housing the state championship trophy, to give fans an opportunity to take their photo with the coveted blue map while the community rallied behind its team and came together as one.
"It is just moving when you really think about it because this is not something that I asked for," Rivers said. "They chose to do this for us which is even more special."
Reach Joey Chandler at joey.chandler@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.
A large crowd gathered in front of Central High School on Tuesday evening for a block party to celebrate the Class 5A girls state basketball champion Falcons.
The Central choir sang and both the cheerleaders and marching band performed before the Falcons were escorted to the school, riding in the back of pickup trucks and greeted by their fans.
Central won its first state championship since 1996 and fourth in program history with a 68-65 victory over Madison Academy in March. It was the Falcons' second consecutive trip to the Class 5A state finals and third in four years.
"I think I really began to realize (as the team arrived), 'Hey, we are state champions,' because that has taken a moment to set in because after losing two it takes longer to settle in," Central coach Michael Rivers said. "The nice thing about it is we did it. We did it. Not just Central High School, but Central High School and the Falcon family. We did it."
After team introductions and speeches by players, coaches and administration, the celebration continued with both an emcee and live music. Central fans stood in a long line waiting for signed copies of state championship posters from the players.
Juniors Sakyia White and Quintasia Leatherwood sat side by side and smiled as they signed autographs, soaking it all in.
"It was a great moment and everybody came out to support us," White said.
And the atmosphere also served as extra motivation heading into next season.
"It makes you want to work harder," said Leatherwood, the Class 5A Player of the Year.
A tent was set up in the background of the parking lot, housing the state championship trophy, to give fans an opportunity to take their photo with the coveted blue map while the community rallied behind its team and came together as one.
"It is just moving when you really think about it because this is not something that I asked for," Rivers said. "They chose to do this for us which is even more special."
Reach Joey Chandler at joey.chandler@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.
Related Posts
Texas cheerleader hailed as hero for saving small boy who was choking - WRAL.com- Prep cheerleading: Fort Defiance places second at Indian Classic - The Daily Progress
- Cheerleading: Fort Defiance places second at Indian Classic - The Daily Progress
- Wilson High School community honors fallen cheerleader with emotional farewell - WMBF
- Middletown's youth football teams, cheerleaders suspended with just 2 games left in season - WKRC TV Cincinnati