The Mountaineers have written the history books at Everest Collegiate High School not once – but twice in their third season.
First, they claimed the title of the Catholic High School League Intersectional Division last month. Then, they added one more achievement to their climb to the top by winning their first district title last Friday.
“They are feeling pretty good,” said Ann Lowney, coach for the varsity boys team and also Coach of the Year.
“It was wonderful,” Lowney added. “It was just a pure game of fun basketball. It is what high school basketball is all about ? two teams with good boys battling until the end. The fans were great. Both sides had great cheering sections. It is a memory they will have for years to come.”
The win came after the game finished after four quarters with a 39-39 tie against Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes.
The Mountaineers had already gone head to head against the Lakers twice during the season and lost both times.
“The first time they beat us pretty good,” Lowney said. “The second time it could have been anybody’s game. The boys felt like if they took care of the little things and took care of what we needed to do on the court that is was a game we could win.”
The Mountaineers continued what they had started in the first four quarters of the game and outscored the Lakers 4-2 to win the game, 43-41.
“They were bigger, faster and stronger,” Lowney said about the Lakers. “Our boys did a great job executing the offense, executing the defense and eliminating their opportunities – all the little things.”
Senior Don Allen scored 13 points during the game and had 18 rebounds while junior Dave Smith scored 11 points and had two 3-pointers.
Lowney added the team, school and fans owe a lot to their three seniors – the first class to graduate from Everest Collegiate High School.
“Without them we wouldn’t have a high school right now,” she said. “When their parents chose for them to come to Everest, I don’t think anyone thought we could accomplish athetically what we have done in such a short time. It is nice they will have these memories. I told the boys at the beginning of the season we are going to hang a number on the banner up there so when they bring their sons and their daughters they can point to it and say ‘that’s what I did.’ And to point to two banners on there – the league championship and the district championship – those are memories they will have forever.”
Everest continued their road to the finals on Monday, taking on Southfield Christian. They lost the game, 64-42.
“It will be a tough game,” Lowney admitted before going into the match. “But at this point anyone can beat anybody.”
The boys finished the season with a 18-6 record and 8-2 in the league.