The rainy weather didn’t keep a big group of Bluejays basketball fans from attending Saturday afternoon’s program to celebrate the IESA Class 3A state championship.
The afternoon began with a parade in the rain, led by a Greenville District fire truck.
Holding umbrellas and sitting on a wagon were the 8th grade Bluejays players and coaches. In the back of pickup trucks and also holding umbrellas were the Bluejays cheerleaders.
The parade began in downtown Greenville with fans joining in their vehicles. Greenville police were at the end of the parade which moved to the junior high for a ceremony.
The east side bleachers were nearly filled in the gymnasium. After a welcome by Principal Gary Brauns, he presented a banner to the cheerleaders in recognition of their fourth place finish at state.
Head Coach Parker Manhart spoke to the crowd about his team and players, and then Greenville Mayor Alan Gaffner read a proclamation designating this Tuesday as a special day in the city.
Each player and coach received a key to the city and their individually framed copy of the proclamation. It’s their second key to the city after receiving one last year for finishing second in the state.
At the end of the ceremony, the players presented Coach Manhart with an autographed basketball.
