Burr Ridge school celebrates state championship
BY SANDY ILLIAN BOSCH sbosch@pioneerlocal.com February 21, 2012 4:16PM
Burr Ridge Middle School basketball player Michael Smith carries the llinois Elementary School Association varsity basketball state championship trophy during an all-school assembly honoring the team on Tuesday. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:20AM
Members of the Burr Ridge Middle School varsity basketball team returned to school Tuesday as state 3A champions, having defeated Holy Trinity of Bloomington on Thursday night in Monticello.
As “We Are The Champions” played over the gymnasium speakers, the team was greeted with thunderous applause, cheers and signs of congratulations as they entered the all-school assembly held in their honor.
“We’re very excited to bring home the championship,” coach Michael LaCassa said.
LaCassa credited a late-game pep talk with fueling his players to the win. Going into the fourth quarter, he asked the boys how they wanted to remember the last six minutes of their final middle school basketball game.
“Then, we just snapped,” he said, pulling out a 53-44 win.
LaCassa congratulated his players not only for their win, but for the four-hour Saturday practices and weekend tournaments they committed to along the way.
“That is what makes a true champion,” Principal Julie Bartell told the students as they gathered to congratulate the team.
She challenged each student to find their own way to be a champion.
“I really do believe we’re all champions in this room,” she said.
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