What better way to end a 33-3 season than with a state title. Such an amazing ending came true last night, when the Bolles Bulldogs won 46-39 against Holy Trinity in the 4A State Championship Finals. This was the first time the basketball program had won states in three decades, and it was certainly hard-fought.

The first half of the game was tight, with excellent plays by both sides. Until the third quarter, neither team held more than eight points over the other. Notable plays in the first half include an amazing fast break down the court by Collin Smith(#15), ending in a slam dunk. Smith garnered three penalties by halfway through the second quarter and was benched for the remainder of the quarter. This brought Davey Crouch(#9) to the court. Crouch, only a freshman, gave the competition a run for their money, covering players sometimes three years older(and often half a foot taller), for the rest of the quarter. On defense, Nick Strawer(#13) swatted an attempted three point shot, Not Today! The first half concluded with only a one point difference between the Bulldogs and their opponents.

The second half saw the Bulldogs pull away from the competition. Smith reentered the game and made another layup. Jonathan DeWayne(#33) started the second half strong with an amazing layup in the face of two-on-one man coverage, then followed up with precision penalty shots.

The student section, packed with mostly seniors and few dedicated underclassmen, supported the team. Even the Bishop Kenny Basketball team, typically rivals of Bolles, came to cheer the Bulldogs on. Each point scored by Bolles was accompanied by a cry of “Duval” by the students of both schools, acknowledging the county they share. Jonathan Dewayne’s penalty shots were accompanied by a cheer of “Air Force.” Dewayne committed to Air Force earlier in the season. Surprisingly, even though most of the students would not be home until at least 1:30AM, most students said they would not be missing class the next day, and apparently they were right. Mrs. Jacobson, a Bolles English teacher, said she was surprised to find almost everyone in class.

The most “Boisterous Bulldog” at the game was senior Ryan Fultz(12), who led many of the cheers in the student section, and never shied away from showing off his dance moves during the break songs.

After the game, the players were individually presented with medals by Assistant Athletic Director Kelly Stevenson. Some shed tears, some laughed, and Collin Smith even lifted one of his coaches off the ground in an embrace.

When asked how it felt to win, Austin Williams(#14) said, “It feels amazing to win. We’re seniors, and it’s great to go out with a bang.”