MaxPreps Basketball Tour of Champions celebrates Grandview High School

The 13th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard passed through Missouri on Friday, Apr. 27 to honor Grandview (Mo.) High School and its boys basketball team for winning a state championship and earning a high national ranking.

Having upended Raytown South 81-63 in the MSHSAA Class 4 state championship contest, the 28-3 Bulldogs claimed their first boys state basketball championship and earned the No. 42 ranking in MaxPreps' National Rankings!

MaxPreps and the Missouri Army National Guard joined forces in celebrating Grandview's fantastic basketball accomplishments during a late morning school assembly in a gymnasium packed with loud and rowdy juniors and seniors. Grandview athletic director Steve Robertson opened the celebration by introducing MaxPreps representative Miles Clifton.

Clifton, who spoke briefly about the outstanding accomplishments of the Bulldogs, paused at times as the crowd erupted into applause for their beloved basketball team. He then explained the process MaxPreps uses to determine the national team rankings used for the TOC, and any other criteria taken into consideration, before introducing Sergeant First Class Nathan Russell of the Missouri Army National Guard for the trophy presentation.

SFC Russell began by congratulating head coach Reggie Morris and the Bulldogs on their outstanding basketball season and then presented Grandview Nation with the prestigious Army National Guard national ranking trophy. Morris took the microphone and spoke briefly about how proud he was of his basketball team and thanked MaxPreps and the Missouri Army National Guard for bestowing the national honor on the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs and their coaches, along with Grandview's administration, students and fans, were all thrilled to receive the recognition cast upon them by the two fantastic organizations. Grandview faithful will not forget the day's activities anytime soon. Congratulations to Coach Morris and the rest of the Grandview boys basketball team on an unforgettable season!

Click here to view the Grandview TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Basketball TOC, please visit the MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.