After coming off a stellar 2009 season ranked #2 in the MaxPreps poll. The
Yates (Houston, Texas) boy's basketball team showed no sign of slowing down in 2010. The team finished this year as MaxPreps’ #1 team in the country finishing the season 34-0 and once again taking the state championship back to Yates. I arrived in what was predicted to be a sunny day, to my dismay when I woke up and looked out the window it began to drizzle. I remember the previous year it had rained and the event was going to go on in rain or snow; I was not to worry.
When I arrived at the school the first thing I smelled was Texas barbeque. Family and community members had gathered to make a big barbeque for the post parade party. I saw enthusiastic cheerleaders and boisterous band members decked in red and yellow sequin, all preparing for their performance in the parade. I walked through the halls to connect with Helen Brussard-Wiltz our point person at the school. Of course the first thing she asked was “Did you bring the rain to Houston!” As we walked the halls I noticed this was not the first state championship team, but one of many different sports. The halls are extremely loud with the echoing of the band practicing, players hooting, and cheerleaders giggling. Helen went on to explain where the parade will take place as well as our MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard trophy presentation ceremony. Five minutes before the parade I found out that the ceremony would be held inside; I raced to break down the media backdrop and bring it into the auditorium. I also was able to touch base with Coach Greg Wise. He informed me of the player's location in the gymnasium. The guys were excited to get up on the fire engines, but I think a little more excited about once again getting to hold the National Guard National Ranking Trophy. Yet this year it had “#1” placed front and center.
With 10 minutes to the start of the parade I orchestrated the Texas National Guard Humvee up to the front. The Humvee was followed by, the band, cheerleaders, fire engines, fancy automobiles and of course the players themselves. The parade kicked off with the school ROTC leading the way followed by the High School Band, the Middle School Band and also the Elementary School Band. I was taken aback by the talented dancers and flawless band, also the young eight year old leading the march. The community support in this area is amazing when it comes to their basketball team. With rain as bad as it was they still had the sidewalks packed with people.
The first people I saw coming into the finish area of the parade was Texas National Guardsmen Sergeant First Class Larry A. Olson and Sergeant Jeremiah Britt. The parade came to a finish in the high school auditorium. As the crowd, band members, cheerleaders and local television media settled into their seats, the award ceremony began. Helen introduced MaxPreps representative Buddy Carlisle. Being from the area, Buddy is very familiar with Yates High School from past years and past sports. Buddy also explained how impressive and difficult it is for a team to be the #1 ranked school out of 21,000 high school boy's basketball teams in the nation. Buddy then introduces SGT Britt. SGT Britt gets the crowd riled up by using some boxing commentary “In the right corner at 34-0 and the #1 team in the country Jack Yates High School. In the left corner the other 21,000 boys basketball teams in the country!” He then went on to describe other non-athletic accomplishments the team had exuded throughout the season like leadership and commitment; qualities similar to that of a National Guardsmen. SGT Britt finished up his speech by presenting the prestigious National Guard National Ranking trophy to Coach Wise. Coach Wise held the coveted trophy in the air as the students, friends and family came to their feet and applauded the team.
The ceremony finished with a few last pictures with the team, trophy, coach and Texas National Guardsmen. Almost looking like a swarm of paparazzi, parents and friends and local media squeezed in to snap a decent shot. I plan to be back in the Lone Star State next year but this time honoring a back to back #1 team, go Lions!
