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Now that's the spirit

Posted by: Fred Kroner

Saturday, March 7, 2009 12:49 AM

TUSCOLA -- Two hours before game time, there were cars in the parking lot.

One hour and 45 minutes before tip-off, the line was forming at the door.

When administrators at Tuscola High School opened the building one hour prior to Friday night's Class 1A boys' basketball sectional game between second-ranked Meridian and 10th-ranked Salt Fork, there were an estimated 500 spectators waiting to enter through the north hallway.

Most -- but not all -- were wearing the green and white of the favored Meridian Hawks.

Estimates were that at least 1,200 of the capacity crowd of 1,900 were rooting for Meridian, which overcame a slow start (8-2 deficit) for the second consecutive game (the team trailed 12-4 in the semifinals) to advance to the Elite Eight with a 67-41 triumph.

It was great to see the community spirit exhibited by the Hawks' faithful and their willingness to support the team. This wasn't a one-night fluke. The team's turnout for Tuesday's semifinal game was comparable to that for Friday's championship encounter.

We're guessing the team's fans will be well-represented at Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. super-sectional against Ridgeview at Illinois State University.

The Hawks have a good team and an even better fan base.

Three cheers.