Every time they stepped onto the court this season, members of the boys' basketball team at Eastern York High School focused on a goal. They wanted to win, of course, but they also had their eyes on the prize: making it to the state championship. While the team fell just short of that this year, they still had an outstanding season, featuring a game the players said they'll never forget.

"Growing up, I saw the older players going to the Giant Center in Hershey for the district game," said senior and team captain Carter Foote-Renwick. "Getting to play in the district championship was kind of a dream come true. It was amazing."

Eastern York took on Big Spring in the game, held on March 1. They knew it was going to be a tough game going in, said coach Troy Sowers, who noted Big Spring is a strong opponent. "Each team played as hard as humanly possible for 32 minutes to win that title," he stated. "We had to stay mentally tough and stick to our game plan."

Despite trailing by one point with less than five minutes to go in the game, Eastern rallied to win, besting Big Spring 55 to 50. It was the school's first district championship since 2010 and fourth overall.

"We were confident in our abilities to win the game," said Carter Wamsley, a junior who is also team captain. "There was nobody who had a doubt. We believed in our coaches, and we believed in ourselves."

From the district game, the team advanced toward the state championship, beating South Allegheny on March 8 and Valley View on March 12 before taking on Hampton High School on March 15. Although their run to the top stopped there, the players are proud of all they've achieved this season and how much they've overcome.

"We had a bumpy road this year, and our team definitely caught fire later in the season," said Brady Seitz, a junior and team captain. He noted that he wouldn't change a thing, however, about the season - or the team.

"My favorite thing has been getting to do this with my friends," Brady stated. "You're never playing alone. I'm with guys I've hung out with my whole life, and I would not want to do this with anyone else. The championship game was my best basketball memory I've ever had."

Troy, who is in his first year as Eastern's coach but has 25 years of coaching experience, was joined in guiding the team by Eric Sowers, his cousin, and Travis Sowers, his brother.

He said he was impressed with the boys' attitudes and abilities, but he was also awed by the community support for the team. The team enjoyed a sendoff with the school band and community members, and they returned as champions with a police and fire truck escort.

"Hundreds of people were out in their driveways and their front lawns or at their windows. My guys were hanging out the windows of the bus like celebrities," Troy recalled. "We held the trophy up, and somebody played 'We Are the Champions.' It couldn't have been scripted better for these guys. To come out on top for this game and then have this strong community support, it's been incredible."