North Little Rock Charging Wildcats
Photo by Army National Guard
The
North Little Rock (North Little Rock, Ark.) boys basketball team has been celebrating its state championship title for exactly a month now — being honored on the floor of the Arkansas State Senate and House of Representative, a local pizza parlor holding a celebratory dinner; but the celebratory atmosphere did not end there for the Arkansas 7A state champions.
On Tuesday, April 9, the 7th Annual MaxPreps Basketball Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard came to town to recognize Coach Rice and his team.
Posting a school best 28-1 record, the Charging Wildcats captured the Class 7A state title — North Little Rock's fifth state title overall — after switching to this division this season. Because of the team's success, they were ranked No. 29 out of more than 20,000 boys basketball programs in the nation according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings.
You would hardly have known that the Charging Wildcats had been celebrating their championship season for a month now with the excitement and energy that was in full force at their arena-sized gymnasium. With the band playing popular radio songs and the cheerleaders getting the student section motivated, the crowd went wild as the players entered the gym holding their state championship trophy above their heads.
With the students, faculty, and family on their feet, head coach Johnny Rice opened the school assembly by identifying each member of the varsity and junior varsity team as well as the players who received honors. Then taking the mic, Sergeant Anthony Rusnak from the Arkansas Army National Guard congratulated the team not only on its state championship and national ranking, but also on the team's hard work and dedication throughout the season.
SGT Rusnak then presented coach Rice with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy. To close the school assembly, the band played the school's fight song and the students and faculty members were arm in arm cheering on the Charging Wildcats.
Following the presentation, the local CBS and ABC affiliates interviewed coach Rice, SGT Rusnak, and some of the players regarding this special trophy presentation. Honored and appreciative of the Minuteman trophy, coach Rice expressed how much this meant to his team and the school.
Congratulations North Little Rock High School! We hope to see you next season on the Tour of Champions!
