SCHOOL SYSTEM – WIDE SPIRIT!
Schools in Lawrence Co. have been competing to go to the state basketball tournament since 1924 and on Tuesday night at the Expo Center in Pikeville the 2016 version of the Lawrence Co. Bulldogs became the first team from the county to qualify for the Sweet Sixteen.
The state tournament will begin next Wednesday at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The Dawgs will play on Thursday at Noon vs Louisville Doss.
So on Wednesday the coaches and players took the hardware around to all of the county schools to show them what hard work can do.
The team started out at Fallsburg Elementary and got a rousing ovation from the Dragons as Head Coach Travis York spoke to the student body, telling them that hard work in the classroom can lead to success on the hardwood.
Next up was a trip to visit the Blaine Wildcats who was ready to see the team and of course the trophy some of the players shot with the students and Robert Dalton got a big ovation when he threw a dunk down.
After that the next stop was Louisa West and the pre k through 1st grade students didn’t know what to think of the local heroes as they set up on stage and waved to the students. After Coach York spoke, the team formed a tunnel and all of the students and teachers ran through and gave the team five as they went back to class.
After a short bus ride the team stopped at Louisa East and the boys had a three point shootout and picked some of the students to rebound and pass to the players. Sharp Shooter Austin Chaffins won the contest. Next was a stop at Louisa Middle as they were greeted with a thunderous ovation as the students and teachers showed their appreciation for the 15th Region champs. Last stop on the victory tour was back at the High School to see their classmates and put the trophy in the case.
Coach York spoke to every school thanking them for the warm welcome, cheering on the team and the importance of getting good grades, being respectful and listening to their teachers.
Just observing the players interacting with all of the kids was an humbling experience for myself and something that I will never forget. I want to thank the coaches and players for letting me be a small part of the magical run to Rupp Arena.
Heard numerous players say what an honor it was to be the first team from Lawrence Co. to go this far and to be able to share it with all of the schools in the county. The players were smiling from ear to ear the whole trip. The team was really excited to see all of the smiling faces and was wondering if they could load up the kids and take them to Rupp next week.