CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Bulldogs are state champions in basketball for the first time since 1985.
The Bulldogs defeated top-ranked Dillard 50-40 last Saturday to claim the title. After the team secured the victory, the community wasted no time congratulating the players on social media.
Crestview High School posted a picture of the team on Facebook after the victory that received over 900 shares and over 1,000 likes and reactions.
The Crestview cheerleaders even put up streamers and decorations down State Road 90.
It wasn’t just the fans or the school who were excited for the boys. Local businesses, such as Eye Site of Crestview and WAAZ FM, sent out congratulatory posts.
“We’re very happy for them,” said Azteca's general manager. “We are glad to see that they won.”
The team traveled to Lakeland for the championship game, along with many Bulldog supporters.
“We have been rooting for them all year,” said Erica Hamilton, store manager at Pic N Save. “I know it feels good to win; it’s a lot of hard work. They did a great job.”
As the team arrived back at Crestview High School, with trophy in hand, a crowd of people greeted the boys who burst into cheers as the team stepped off the bus.
“This is a huge deal for our school district and even bigger deal for the basketball team," said Marcus Chambers, superintendent of the Okaloosa County School District. “To say that I am proud for them would be an understatement.”
There was something different in the air at the school Monday morning after the win, said Cari Ruschmeier, a teacher at Crestview High School.
“There is definitely an excited buzz at school,” said Ruschmeier.
"Everybody is pumped up and fired up," said Principal Dexter Day. "Everyone is happy. People are excited about it."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community reacts to Bulldogs' state championship