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FROM STAFF REPORTS / Editorial

As each prepared to sprint to midcourt on different days, the story was the same for the Oak Mountain boys’ and Shelby County girls’ basketball teams.

With students and fans jumping around shouting in jubilation from the stands, the two teams ran to grab their Regional Championship trophies before hoisting the trophy in the air—a picture that will be locked into the history of both programs.

Doing something special for the first time is a feeling like no other, but seeing high school students accomplish something that has never been done in their school’s history—that’s something remarkable.

That was the case for the two local Shelby County schools this past week, as the Oak Mountain Eagles sent their boys basketball team to the Final Four for the first time in school history, while the Shelby County Wildcats did the same with their girls basketball team.

The Eagles went out and took down Sparkman 60-51 after a strong run down the stretch, while Shelby County overcame a 16-3 deficit against Central-Tuscaloosa to come back and take down the defending state champs.

It’s a special accomplishment for the two schools that are part of the Shelby County School system, but what’s remarkable is the impact it is having on the local communities.

This county is already considered to be one of Alabama’s best to live in, but the support the communities have shown to their local basketball teams reassures how special of a place it is to be.

Oak Mountain’s fans and student section have been regarded as the best in the state the past week after showing their support at the Northeast Regional held 80 miles away from home, while Shelby County’s fans, part of a smaller 5A school, also flocked close to 70 miles away to Montgomery to see the Wildcats advance out of the Southwest Regional.

Both fan bases got to witness a group of high school student athletes accomplish history, and it’s something that makes the memory that much more memorable for each of the athletes that has poured hours and hours of hard work into being the best.

Now, those athletes, who may not even realize it, have created a moment that will live on forever at their school. They’ll be remembered as the ones who accomplished what no one else has.

Now, the Eagles will take on Robert E. Lee in the first round of the Final Four on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10:30 a.m., while Shelby County will take on Madison Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. We wish both local teams the best of luck in their next attempt at making history.