Rembering the Year of the Champions

Derek Grimes
Greensburg Daily News

March 18, 2008 10:39 pm

— Rewind to Feb. 9. The scene was a gym in Osgood during the girls basketball Sectional 60. The South Decatur Lady Cougars had fought tooth and nail and after a few clinching free throws the last ticks came off the clock and the buzzer sounded.
What at the beginning of the season was just a goal had become reality. For four seniors, four seasons of hard work had paid off. For the team it was the ultimate moment in a season full of ups and downs. The Lady Cougars were crowned sectional champions.
The tears fell from the eyes of athletes, parents, students, and fans alike. With the presentation of the trophy the celebrating and embracing began. It was almost like a dream come true.
The girls gathered by what was now their trophy and threw up their index fingers because, for at least one night, they were truly number one.
Fast-forward to March 1. The scene was a gym outside of Westport during the last seconds of the boys basketball Sectional 60. Both sides of the gymnasium watched in disbelief as a 3-point shot banked in for the South Decatur Cougars, giving them a two point lead.
It was almost like a prayer answered.
The final seconds ticked off the clock. The other team didn't get a shot off as the buzzer sounded. For three seniors, it was a more familiar feeling, two sectional titles in four years. For the rest of the team it was perhaps a sign of things to come. The boys’ Cougars basketball team was once again sectional champions.
As the boys grouped for a picture with what was now their trophy, the sight was familiar as they threw up their index fingers. For at least that night, they were truly number one.
And history was made. Never before had both South Decatur basketball teams won their sectional championship.
For the girls, the championship ended a six-season drought that saw three different coaches. For the boys a sectional championship was a more recent accomplishment; two in four years. However, it was their first season since 1995-96 that they had finished better than .500.
"It's always easy for people to find negatives and to criticize. But in this situation, it has been all positive. Hopefully, it will carry over into other things," said South principal Bob Hacker.
On the southern end of Decatur County, 2008 has been dubbed "The Year of the Champions." Spirit Club president Kaitlan King said she thinks the title is fitting.
"This is truly the year of the champion. I am honored to be a part of it," she said.
A year like this affects everyone involved in a positive way. For the players, the experience of winning a championship was unlike any other.
"It was amazing. Not many teams from South win sectional. It was very exciting especially since the boys and girls both won," said Daniel Skinner, a senior on the boys squad. "It makes you feel special."
Jamie Huff, a senior on the girls squad, said she felt much the same.
"It was overwhelming! Probably the most amazing feeling ever. I was on Cloud Nine," she recalled.
Aside from the players, the historical moment at South can be echoed by the students as well. Most talked of the changed attitude toward the school's athletics.
"Our pep block was embarrassing during the regular season. Now, the pep block is the cool thing to do," said senior Trevor Kirtman.
King seconded this feeling.
"There were more pep sessions (during the weeks of the championships) so it makes the day more enjoyable for everyone," she said.
For senior girls basketball player Julie French, the season was extra special.
"It was neat feeling the win on the court and then feeling it in the crowd during the boys' game," she remembered.
For Hacker, the historical season has meant a lot, both for the school and the community.
"Any time you have success in any student group, it rubs off on other students and affects everyone positively," said Hacker. "The parents were great. South Decatur has an awful lot to be proud of. It's just been fun."
The final buzzers sounded for both teams in regional play, but the feeling at South Decatur will linger on for a long time. On two nights in the same season, they had experienced and witnessed their teams group together in triumph. Success is a feeling that will quickly bring a community together, and in Westport it did just that.
"This winter has been magical," said Hacker.

Editor’s noted: Derek Grimes is a 2007 graduate of South Decatur and a current Franklin College student studying journalism.

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