SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, Pa. — It was a first-of-its-kind welcome home for the Mountain View Lady Eagles basketball team.
Parents and fans filled the parking lot of Mountain View Jr/Sr High School near Kingsley after a season unlike any other.
"I think that it's definitely what we worked for all season, and you know it may not been the outcome, but it's still a pretty big thing what we did," said Lily Sedlak, senior.
The Lady Eagles failed to capture the PIAA 1A Championship in Hershey, a game seniors Lily Sedlak, Vanessa Harvey, and Claire Getz helped the program reach for the very first time.
"It hasn't always been easy, but we've definitely overcome some challenges and different ways or figured out how our team works together best, and we've just grown to love each other," said Vanessa Harvey, senior.
"This is a family I wouldn't wanna leave ever like this is definitely one that is awesome," said Claire Getz, senior.
In Lackawanna County, the Holy Cross Crusaders boys' basketball team returned to Dunmore as runners-up in the 2A PIAA Championship, a moment head coach Al Callejas Jr. and senior Charley O'Malley say they'll never forget.
"I was honestly just hoping to be competitive, and the way the year went, the way these kids came together and took us on this ride is magical," said Al Callejas Jr, head coach.
"It's been the best experience of my life. The ups are really high, the downs are really down, but it's been awesome," said Charley O'Malley, senior.
As both programs move forward, players both staying and going see a bright future ahead.
"The rest of the juniors got one more year left in us, so hopefully, we get the same results," said Matt Lyons, junior.
"Hopefully, we can come back when we're older, and we can see them grow up as a generation and hopefully carry it on to cause I know they will," added Claire.