Cheering crowd sends off B-A girls
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BELLWOOD -- Excitement and optimism filled the air Sunday as about 150 fans turned out to see the Bellwood-Antis High School girls basketball team depart with a fire truck escort for today's PIAA Class 2A state championship game in Hershey.
The game between the Lady Blue Devils and Philadelphia West Catholic will tip off at noon at the Giant Center.
The girls will have the support of a large contingent -- 700 tickets were allocated to the school and many others purchased tickets online, said Traci McCracken, president of the Lady Blue Devil Basketball Booster Club.
Many members of the 1990 team will be in attendance; the last Bellwood-Antis team to play for the state championship lost to Pottsville Nativity BBM.
"This is completely amazing. Every March you get memories even though it was 28 years ago," said Christi (Bush) Holzapfel. "I think it will be a close game. Coach (Jim) Swaney said whoever can best absorb the atmosphere and adapt to the huge building will come out on top."
Terri Harpster, now the Myers Elementary School principal, was coach of the 1990 team.
"It is very exciting. It is good to get back. We are so proud of the team. I think it will be a competitive game, but I am rooting for Bellwood-Antis," Harpster said.
McCracken was a cheerleader for the 1990 team.
"We have some unfinished business. They have been playing hard and I hope they will bring home the gold this time," McCracken said. "I expect a close game; both teams are there for a reason. I hope it is not a nail-biter. I don't know if I can take another one of those."
Superintendent Thomas McInroy said it is wonderful to see the girls make it to the state championship game.
"I am so proud of these girls. They have showed so much character," McInroy said. "Sometimes when a team loses once they are done. Our girls have stayed focused and battled back and earned this trip to the state finals. I couldn't be more proud of any group of kids like these girls."
High school Principal Richard Schreier and Athletic Director John Hayes called the trip to Hershey fantastic.
"It is really amazing what our girls have accomplished so far. The community has rallied behind them. We are proud of what they have accomplished so far," Schreier said.
"It doesn't happen often enough, but when it does, it is amazing. To see the spirit is really uplifting and special. If we do what we have done all year, the shots have to fall. I believe they will have a great game. They are well prepared and will do well," Hayes said.
The town and business community has supported the team throughout the year.
"The support has been great," said Jimmy Focht of Tipton, who was in the stands for the 1990 game. "It has brought the town together. We've always been a strong sports-oriented community."
"The Bellwood community has always supported all of the athletic teams. We are a tight knit community. Whether it is providing a meal, sponsoring a program or helping with a special need such as a tournament, the business community has been there to help them along the way," said school board member Scott Boyer, president of Boyer Refrigeration.
Coach Swaney said he wanted to thank the community for all of its support.
"The Bellwood community has really rallied behind these girls all season long. They have had fantastic support at home and away games. We've had a great following during the playoffs. It has been tremendous the way they have rallied around these kids. I would just like to thank the community, the businesses. Everyone in Bellwood has been fantastic," Swaney said.
Swaney also predicts a win.
"We think we are going to win. We like the matchup. West Catholic plays like we do, up and down the floor. They attack both on offense and defense. I believe it will be a fast-paced game," Swaney said.
The team will receive a fire truck escort back into town about 6 p.m. today with a reception to follow in the gymnasium.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.