NAPOLEON, Ohio — The coronavirus ended high school basketball right as teams were getting ready to play in the state final four. The Napoleon girls were hit hard, as they got ready for their first appearance at state. But the city rallied around them to make sure that accomplishment didn’t go unrecognized. The city had a big surprise for them Saturday morning.
It's now been over two months since the Napoleon girls basketball season was halted. Their historic run to Columbus was something the whole town was rallying around.
Saturday their season got some closure.
When the team gathered Saturday morning they had no idea what the mayor had in store for them; A proclamation in their honor and naming The Lady Cats State Champions.
“It was amazing. We got a text last night to be here and walking up here we were like what’s going on? We had absolutely no idea. When they walked up with those banners it was amazing,” said Cait Good.
“Its amazing knowing I was on that team that made it to state and made history. I’m excited that I got to do it with these girls. I will always remember the times we had this year,” said Stevie Rieger.
These banners will now hang along the bridge, forever marking their accomplishments this season: 26-0, the highest seed left in the tournament. While they never got to see it all the way through, they will see these banners every time they cross this bridge.
“It’s going to be so cool coming home from college and seeing those banners. Its been amazing to be apart of this team and have all this support from the community,” said Good.
The joy and excitement this team brought the city of Napoleon was something Mayor Maassel couldn’t ignore.
“It’s a reflection of how proud we are of these girls. Make sure they knew that with how much we followed them and how much they’ve meant to Napoleon," said Maassel.
Also in that proclamation, March 14 will forever be known in Napoleon as Lady Cat Championship Day.