DUNMORE – They’ve worked long and hard, and now the Boy’s Holy Cross basketball team earned a champion’s sendoff to Hershey. The team is getting ready to battle for the PIAA "AA" State Title Game. For these guys, it’s been surreal.
"Just great, the support we've gotten from all over the community, our school, all these grade schools that we've been going to is just fantastic,” said Holy Cross Senior Josh Kosin.
"Really I've never seen anything like it, people are behind us, the support that we have," said Holy Cross Head Basketball Coach Al Callejas.
The excitement began building early in the morning as the team traveled to a pep rally at All Saints Academy in Scranton.
"So excited, I just can't wait to go down to Hershey, it's been such an experience,” said Kayla Sposto, a cheerleader.
For the seniors on the Holy Cross Basketball Team, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity they’ve been dreaming of.
“That was one of my goals of mine in high school was to get to Hershey and I finally made it," said Holy Joyce, Holy Cross Senior.
Intensity grew throughout the afternoon at the High School pep rally in Dunmore where students were pumped up with cheers, a few dunks from team and even the Harlem Shake.
"It's a once in a lifetime thrill. You need to enjoy it, they're enjoying it, they're having the time of their lives so it's great,” said Callejas.
After all of this excitement, the team said it's all business once they get on the bus to Hershey.
"Oh yeah, most definitely, but you know the pregame jitters are going to be there, but when that ball tips off we'll be ready,” said Joyce.
They are hoping to bring home one more win and Holy Cross’ first ever state title Saturday afternoon.
"We've been playing together now for three years most of us, but we really want this more for each other than ourselves,” said Kosin.
The team will play Beaver Falls Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Giant Center in Hershey, and when they return later this weekend, the boys are hoping to bring back not just chocolate, but gold.