The MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the National Guard headed north from Texas to Michigan to celebrate another championship season at a community-wide parade. An electrified crowd was on hand at Kalamazoo’s downtown Bronson Park Saturday morning to honor the
Kalamazoo Central High School boys’ basketball program for its first championship in 59 years. The boy’s basketball team finished No. 9 nationally according to the MaxPreps Freeman poll.
The parade route led through the downtown streets via police escort and with fire truck sirens blaring. Classic convertibles transported the coaching staff while the marching band followed closely behind. Next up, the cheerleading squad followed with the players bringing up the rear.
The parade ended in the Park where a crowd of some 500 awaited to cheer on their boys. The Mayor and City Council were present to offer their congratulations. One of the ceremony highlights was the five original members of the last championship team from 59 years ago were in attendance and they happened to be challenged to a five-on-five contest with the current champs (the class of ’51 has yet to respond!).
The Maroon Giants celebrated their 27 – 1 season which was capped off with a 21 game win streak. Coach Mike Thomas bragged about the hard work of his young players who have a combined record of 52 – 3 in the two seasons since he became head coach. Sergeant Dorothy Tissue of the Michigan Army National Guard was present to award the National Guard National Rankings trophy which again placed Kalamazoo Central ninth in the nation - - an award which proved to be the icing on the cake – from over 21,000 boys’ basketball team across the country.
Congratulations to Coach Thomas and Kalamazoo High on an awesome season!
