Star-Journbal Editor
It was on a gold-and-maroon afternoon in the high school gym, when in tribute to its state championship victory, the cheering town of Hillsboro put on a pedestal the mighty and triumphant 2006-07 Lady Trojan basketball team.
The bleachers at Robert C. Brown Gymnasium were packed to the roof March 28. Every student in the district and townsfolk of every generation cheered and stomped as the pep band played.
The celebration included a well-deserved litany of praise, not only for the girls' basketball team and other successful sports programs, but it seemed as if everything worth cheering about was cheered for — from chess masters, to spelling bee standouts, even reading test scores.
The crowd was pumped-up for the hour-long rally, even though a week-long spring vacation had come and gone since the team had brought home the first-place trophy March 10 from the Class 3A State Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson.
The sports page captured the story of how the Trojans, in a display of defensive dominance, wiped out Garden Plain, 54-39, in the opening round; then stomped unbeaten Neodesha, 57-31, in the semifinal game; and then, in a game for the ages, how Hillsboro pounded Salina Sacred Heart, 50-31, for its first state basketball title in 11 years.
The team had finished the season with a 23-3 record, and had won its last 12 games. So even after the 18-day cooling off period, the pep rally crowd was in a fitting frenzy over the historic season.
Everyone who helped win the title wore yellow championship T-shirts. They sat on the court in a semi-circle of chairs. Behind them, a yellow canvas partition ran the length of the court from floor to ceiling. The divider, used to separate the gym for PE classes, cast a golden glow on the entire scene.
Befitting its import, the pep rally was a big-time production, scripted
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from start to finish. In an amplified voice that could barely be heard over the pep band, master of ceremonies, Robert Woelk, began:
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to today's tribute to the 3A State Girls' Basketball Champions, the Hillsboro High School Trojans!
The "All State Cheerleaders" of Hillsboro High School were introduced first: seniors Andrea Jost, Lauren Mayfield, and Sidney Waner; juniors Rachelle Goldsby, Meghan Jost, and Ashley Moss; sophomores Breanna Allen and April Young; and freshman Mieka Serene.
Each of them shook hands with local dignitaries, including the city's No. 1 Hillsboro Trojan Fan and "head cheerleader," Mayor Delores Dalke, who gave each of them a special "award of excellence" key chain.
The cheerleaders had cheered the team all the way to the state title, where they also led Trojan fans to the coveted Sportsmanship Award.
Athletic director Max Heinrichs stepped to the microphone at center court and said, "I just want to make sure that you understand that this is a big deal, to win that Sportsmanship Award, and we got it!
"Thank you cheerleaders!"
The junior varsity girls' team and their coaches, Dennis Boldt and Keli Chisholm, were introduced.
The JV posted an impressive 16-3 record, and includes: senior exchange student Eveline Boschmann; sophomores Jet Skiles, Heidi Schroeder, Tiffany Rooker, and Cassie Kroeker: and freshmen Sara Unruh and Natasha Hollingshead.
With the cheerleaders and JV in their seats, the crowd was ready to roar for the guests of honor.
And now, finishing the year with a record of 23-3 and a 3A Kansas State girls' basketball championship, here is your varsity team!
Freshmen Candace Weinbrenner, Samantha Soyez, and Dakota Kaufman were introduced first, then sophomores Abi Humber and Kassidi Luthi; juniors Samantha Heinrichs, Amanda Faber, and Amy Neufeld; and seniors Hanna Marsh, JuliAnne Chisholm, Tikna Frick, Lora Andrews, and Megan McCarty.
The cheering grew louder as the starters were introduced. The younger kids shrieked for Chisholm, the all-state top-five pick, who has become a worthy idol of every little girl in Hillsboro.
The Lady Trojans seemed self-conscious as they took their seats of honor, fidgeting and not sure what to do with their hands as the applause rained down upon them.
As the tributes began, cheerleaders and co-coach Lisa Mayfield were first to step to the microphone to praise them.
"[Co-coach] Valerie Duerksen and I would like to congratulate the Lady Trojans and coaches Honeck, Boldt, and Chisholm for this state championship title!" Mayfield said.
"What an awesome achievement for them, and it was just as exciting for us, to be able to go there and have the cheerleaders cheer for them at that level of play. We just had an awesome time!
"We thank all of you in the student section and the community for all of your support, not just for this time, but through the entire year."
To the cheerleaders, Mayfield added, "I want to say, girls, thanks for an unforgettable season and year, and for your contribution to our squad. You each hold a very special place in Val and my hearts."
As the cheerleaders were cheered for, Mayfield's daughter, senior cheerleader Lauren Mayfield stepped to the mike:
"Cheering at the state level was so much fun for us," Lauren said. "I want to say thanks to the student section and the community for all your support through the year."
The cheerleader also recognized those "super fans" in the crowd who were a big help all season, including students Travis Riesen, Alex Nuss, and Jandi Nikkel, and team parent Sally Andrews, for "always standing up and cheering, and for all the little extras she did throughout the year."
"You guys made it a great and memorable year," Lauren added
Heinrichs introduced a pair of unsung heroes, David Winter and Michael Klaassen, who kept stats and videotaped every game.
"They did a super job," Heinrichs said as the boys took their seats in the semi-circle. "These guys deserve a round of applause."
Heinrichs then introduced other Trojan teams that have placed at state championships this year, including the third-place football and volleyball teams; the ninth-place boys' cross-country team; the fifth-place girls' doubles tennis team; and the second-place chess team.
After the applause for the sports teams died down, Heinrichs paid tribute to the musicians who have received rave reviews this year.
"Our pep band has done an outstanding job, giving us the kind of environment we want our athletes to play in," Heinrichs added. "Thank you, for all you've done for that."
After praising the successful forensics program, Heinrichs paused to let the crowd settle down.
"The last thing I want to go over with you that [high school principal] Mr. [Dale] Honeck and myself are very proud of, and the rest of the administration is very proud of, is your state reading assessments at this point," he said.
"We are at 85 percent level, which means we are kicking that thing's rear! That's a huge compliment to you as students and to you as a community, for making education important."
And now ladies and gentlemen will you please give a warm welcome to the Mayor of Hillsboro, the honorable Delores Dalke!
The mayor adjusted the mike down to her level and said,
"I'm sure thankful that I got invited to come to talk to this group today because we are so proud of all of you! I was going to list all of the teams that have placed and have been competitive on the state level, but Mr. Heinrichs did that.
"But I think he missed one. We had somebody place fifth at the state spelling bee. Would you please stand?
[Standing for applause was Elise Heyen, an eighth grader, who placed fifth among 99 contestants].
"That's really special," Dalke said. "Nobody from Hillsboro has ever done that before."
Dalke continued, "Today we celebrate excellence by honoring this girls' state basketball team. We're here to show our appreciation to this team and their coaches for a job well done.
"Winning teams bring pride to our local community, and community spirit helps the teams win. When we work together we all win.
"A study was done approximately 10 years ago on the state level about why there were some communities whose students always excel in state competitions. Of course Hillsboro was one of those that was in that state study at that time.
"The conclusion that they came to is that the community itself supports the students and shows enthusiasm and looks toward the future of that community.
"You know there are some towns that are called Football Towns; and some towns that are called Basketball Towns. They don't have well-rounded programs like we do here. We're really, really fortunate that our community is one that supports all of our students in all of our different activities. And I want to thank all of the coaches and the parents who have encouraged these students as they've gone along.
"This is just a great day for Hillsboro! Thank you basketball team, and coaches for giving Hillsboro something to be really proud of!"
Trojan Booster Club president Gary Andrews was up next. His daughter, Lora, a senior, was a starter on the team.
"I graduated from SE of Saline 30 years ago," Andrews said. "And at that time, when I was in high school, we never beat Sacred Heart. And to beat Sacred Heart in three things this year is quite an accomplishment!"
And now, the assistant coaches from this year's girls' basketball team, Mr. Dennis Boldt, and Miss Keli Chisholm.
Chisholm, who played on two state championship basketball teams for Hillsboro, said, "It feels like not so long ago that I stood here when we won state. It's such a different perspective being here as a coach, and it just makes those memories as a player so much better.
"I know that for these girls now, it's a big deal and this is fun, but I think the older they get, the more they'll remember how special, and what a neat accomplishment, it is."
Coach Chisholm said the girls had demonstrated intensity on defense, intelligence on offense, and integrity in their relationships as teammates.
"The integrity they built between themselves as a team, was amazing," she said. "It was fun to be on the court, coaching them
The gold T-shirts worn by Trojan fans at the state tournament was a huge confidence-booster, she added.
"I know I speak for all the coaches and all the girls, it felt like we could accomplish anything with those gold shirts behind us," she said. "It was overwhelming to be down on the court and to turn around and just see the mountain people. I felt like we could just take anybody on."
Assistant coach Dennis Boldt said the entire community could take credit for the state championship.
"This assembly is not just to thank this basketball team, but it's also to thank this community," Boldt said. "Because it can't be done with three coaches and 20 girls, it takes the whole community.
"And one person I'd like to thank is my wife [Tracy], who allows me to indulge in my passion for coaching," he added. "Taking two kids to a lot of games has eaten up a lot of family time, but it also has created a lot of family time."
Boldt said he hated to see the season come to an end because he wanted to see the team play again.
"Congratulations girls," he said. "You deserve this attention. Your hard work and your dedication is admirable.
"And how about we do it again next year?"
And now ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the man who put this all together with the girls' head coach, Mr. Dale Honeck!
Coach Honeck received a standing ovation, but motioned everyone to sit down so he could introduce the seniors, who he introduced as "the backbone of the Hillsboro 3A State Champions."
Meghan McCarty: "When I was younger, probably like you kids over here, the highlight of my year was going to Hutch to watch the high school boys and girls play in the state tournament.
"As a high school student, my goal changed to playing in the state tournament. This being our senior year was our last chance to do that. So we all knew without at doubt that we deserved to make it
"I think that this year we finally jelled together and we showed that on and off the court. This season couldn't have brought together a harder-working group of athletes. All of us wanted the same thing. All of us were determined to get what we wanted. During every practice, everyone was practicing at a varsity level. And all the drills were run with as much intensity as possible. This made it an easy transition into game mode, which really gave us an edge.
"Winning the Class 3A girls' state championship is probably the highlight of my high school athletic career, along with most of the people here with me. And I couldn't imagine sharing it with anyone else than those people who are standing behind me."
Tina Frick said, "Not only have we had a successful season, but we've also had the most fun we've ever had. Even before some of our most intense games, like Hesston, or even the state games, we were relaxed and had a really good time before the games.
"In practice, we also shared some laughs. We can't forget coach's defensive slides, or our growling in rebounding drills. But we also have to thank our coaches. We might not have gone as far without all their strategy and the hard work they put into it, so thank you."
Hannah Marsh said, "Basketball has been really fun. It had its ups and downs, just like anything. But it's cool how God has blessed us, and let us rise to the top for such a time as this. And to have all these girls to hang out with for a long time gives us memories that we'll never forget. It's cool to have the relationships with the girls and with the coaches, so thank you."
JuliAnne Chisholm said, "I'd like to thank all of the families and our parents; not just these last four years, but through middle school, and however long we've been playing sports. You guys have brought us along; given us words of encouragement when we fell down and were crying. You picked us back up and said, 'Hey, keep going, because sooner or later you'll meet you goal', and this year we have.
"I want to thank the booster club, for all of the locker notes, the treats, drinks, and stuff after the game. All of your encouraging notes really do brighten our day, thank you so much for supporting us. And the coaches too, how much you guys have done for us this year. Thank you."
Lora Andrews, "And last but definitely not least, we would like to thank our peers. The cheerleaders definitely did a great job of getting the crowd into it. And our band did an awesome job at state. That was really fun. We're the band that rocked all bands! I mean that, coming from a band person.
"And also we would like to thank the [fans], especially at state. Just seeing that yellow behind our free-throw line, that was really awesome to know that support was there, and that you guys definitely had our backs."
Coach Honeck again received a long round of applause as he stood to speak. His remarks were heart-felt and emotional. [See Story, Pg. ?]
The crowd cheered wildly when he was finished. The athletic director took the mike and began to shout. First the students, and then the whole crowd joined in:
Hillsboro!
[Clap-clap!]
Trojans!
[Clap-clap!]
On cue, the pep band broke out again with the Hillsboro fight song.
Trombones slid, trumpets blared, and flutes trilled the tune they knew by heart. A pounding war of drums beat time as feet-stomping fans shook the gym to the tip-top row.
The true-hearts sang:
Joyous and ever loyal,
Let us boost for our "Old High"
Let every heart sing!
Let every voice ring!
There's no time to grieve or sigh;
It's ever on-ward!
Our course pursuing!
May defeat ne'er our ardor cool;
But united, we will boost
For our dear Hillsboro High!
As emotions soared, no doubts remained in any fan's mind that these State Champion Lady Trojans, glowing in their golden moment on the hardwood floor below, would be remembered as a great, great team.
