Ridge Creek Basketball Team Places Third In State

Yesterday the Ridge Creek Eagles traveled to Sandy Springs to take on the number one seeded Wilson Academy on a neutral site for a chance to play for the state championship. In an atmosphere that had every person cheering in the stands cheering against Ridge Creek, this was bound to be a test for the Eagles. Everything, a shot for a miracle chance to play for the state championship was on the line. But first, the Eagles would have to get by the team that had beaten them twice and had only lost twice all year, Wilson Academy.

The Ridge Creek Eagles were sent off in style yesterday as many staff and students painted the bus, made signs, made a banner for the bus to ride through, and screamed as the Eagles were sent off to play in the state championship Final Four. That energy would help propel the Eagles to achieve something great. And watching them last night, coaching them last night, and seeing them give it their all last night was something the head coach and I will never forget.

The Eagles, in their new defense designed to slow down the attack of one of the best players in the state, started the game off strong, fighting and clawing for every rebound. Throughout the game, the Eagles had around 8 blocked shots as Chandler, Christian and Amit moved proved unstoppable down low for the majority of the game. In the first minute of the game, Christian asked to come out and because he had been running and giving everything he had, threw up in a towel for about 3 minutes, wiped off his mouth, drank some water, looked at me and told me he was ready to go back in. Nothing would deny these players tonight. If they were going to lose or win, they were going to do everything but die on that court. The outside determination of Michael T, Michael T and Braden B coupled with good shooting and passing took Wilson Academy by surprise. Not one person in that stadium last night predicted the score would be 26-21 at halftime with the lead Ridge Creek's way. But it was, and Ridge Creek was fired up and ready to take the victory.

At halftime, students on our team that have not played a minute in the game such as Daniel W and Jaynique F spoke of teamwork and unity and coming together to knock off Wilson. Everyone, tired and exhausted after one-half, knew for the next 16 minutes, they would have to hold off Wilson for a shot at the state championship.

Wilson, led by their star player made their run in the second half. For the entire third quarter, it was back and forth, full of momentum switches, lead changes, technical fouls. The fourth quarter however, the game slowly started to slip away. Wilson began making their free throws, Ridge Creek did not. The star player for Wilson totaled 38 points by the end of the night as he led a charge in which he would not be denied. For the first time all year, there was no leading scorer for the Eagles that dominated the game. The points were spread out among all the teammates, something that had to be done to give them a shot at winning.

The Eagles on the other hand were devastated. They had fought all game, left everything on the court and when the final buzzer ended and the Eagles lost, it marked the end of a fairytale that could only be imagined by this team. Many of the players were saying this hurt the most because they knew they gave it their all and yet still lost. The Eagles finished the season third in state, but achieved something more than that. From all walks of life, from all parts of the country, we became a family and for most of them, that meant more to them in the long run then some basketball game. They have been together since October 1, practicing, seeing players quit, seeing people withdraw and losing 10 games in a row. They made a run to the playoffs no one thought possible and finished third in the state. They knew by having Clear Eyes and Full Hearts they could not lose, and boy we were right. Even though the score read in Wilson's favor, the Eagles won so much more. Thanks to everyone for making this an exciting season.

Ridge Creek School is a co-educational, college prep, therapeutic boarding school with "a wilderness twist." Students participate in a college preparatory academic curriculum during the week and experiential education and outdoor leadership activities each weekend. In addition, students take part in weekly individual and group therapy, three times a week with Master's level therapists and counselors.

To learn more about Ridge Creek School, please visit their web site at www.ridgecreekschool.com.