Westside High School’s basketball team received the red carpet treatment June 1.
Members of the team, who won a third consecutive AA state title in March in Macon, arrived via limousine to a reception at the school gymnasium where they received their championships rings and cut down the basketball net.
As they arrived, radio personality Cher Best posed each one player with a question. She asked some of the returning players what they were looking forward to in the next school year. And many of them already have a fourth title on their minds.
See more: Scenes from Westside’s third consecutive state basketball title
The cheerleaders and managers were included in the day’s festivities as well, with the cheerleaders receiving flowers and a pendant, and the managers receiving rings.
Richmond County Deputy Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick, keynote speaker and avid Patriots’ supporter, brought a round of applause and laughter as he said he’s sure that he and his lucky Westside basketball shorts played a role in their win because he wore them religiously over the season.
He wore them during the program.
Also during the ceremony, the boosters’ club presented the basketball team a check for $4,500 and the cheerleading team a check for $1,500.
Coach Jerry Hunter thanked the many fans, parents and supporters during the season, and he and the coaches paid tribute to football coach Timothy McClain, who died in March.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
