‘A magical group’: Elk Grove celebrates first state boys’ basketball crown in victory rally
Elk Grove celebrated its champions Wednesday, cheering Elk Grove High School boys basketball team’s first-ever state title in the city’s Old Town.
“This amazing boys’ varsity basketball team did something no other Elk Grove basketball team has done ever before,” Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said at the early evening victory rally. “You have made history and added to the proud history of Elk Grove.”
The Thundering Herd (28-6) did it in dramatic fashion, taking the CIF Division II state championship trophy March 12, with a 62-56 win over Foothill of Santa Ana at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. Elk Grove was feted Tuesday by the Sacramento Kings on the court where they made history. On Wednesday, The Thundering Herd brought their hardware home to cheering family, friends and dignitaries at the city’s Old Town Plaza.
“I’m just excited and blessed that we were able to bring that environment and that excitement to the city of Elk Grove, because they really deserve it,” Ameere Britton, Elk Grove’s star point guard and Bee Player of the Year, said after the victory rally.
“It feels good to be able to spread the love, that enjoyment and excitement, and bring it to them,” Britton said.
The Herd’s floor general averaged 18.3 points a game during the school’s dream season en route to becoming Elk Grove High’s first boys’ basketball Bee Player of the Year since the legendary Bill Cartwright went back-to-back in 1974 and 1975. The 6-foot-2 Britton capped his all-star campaign with a 20-point, six-rebound night that helped The Herd clinch the elusive crown.
“It’s pretty surreal. You can’t write it or predict it. Everything has to go right to go on a run like this. Everything’s bounced the right way for them,” said Elk Grove parent Jon King.
His son, senior guard Isaiah King, transferred to Elk Grove High before the start of the season when the family moved north from the Bay Area.
“This is that magical group. You’re excited as a parent,” King continued. “You hope they take this life-defining experience with them the rest of their lives.“
The championship ceremony took place at a venue that’s quickly become accustomed to honoring Elk Grove’s own. In November, NASCAR champion and Pleasant Grove High School product Kyle Larson hoisted his NASCAR Cup trophy before an Old Town Plaza packed with race fans.
But on Wednesday, all eyes were on the Herd. Striding single-file through the crowd to the podium, Queen’s “We Are The Champions” blaring from the sound speakers, cheerleaders dancing in time, it was a moment for the city’s newest champions to shine.
“It’s a great day for these young athletes,” Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli said over the rumble of a passing freight train rolling through Old Town. “Not only did you win a state title, you did it as a team....I know that Coach (Dustin) Monday said in the newspaper that this season was a dream. Well, it wasn’t a dream, it was a reality. You made it happen. You’re state champions.”
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