ROWESVILLE, S.C. — The Bethune-Bowman community cheered on their boys' high school basketball team before they left for the state championship on Saturday.
The last time the Mohawks made an appearance in the state championship game was in 1991.
Junior Bryson Robinson says basketball is everything for the Mohawk family.
“We say we’re a basketball school, so like basketball is everything here in Bowman,” Robinson said. “So, it’s real big.”
Senior Derick Simon says although the season started off rocky, he learned some important lessons.
“We played a couple good teams and, you know, we fell short,” Simon said. “Just knowing how to overcome adversity, play every game hard, play every game like a championship game.
Coach Charles McCray had a motto all season. “Get addicted to winning on and off the court … that’s in life,” McCray said.
Coach McCray says the community’s support has been helpful.
“So, it’s great to bring this to a basketball town and have everybody following us. It’s amazing,” McCray said. “I told my guys to embrace the moment.”
Bethune-Bowman Principal Lakekia Lewis says togetherness has made this possible.
“I think that really tells a story and that has uplifted our team,” Lewis said. “Our boys and our coaching staff, and even me. It’s really made tears come to my eyes because the power when we come together is so very important, and so our boys see that now, and they’re just on cloud nine.”
Quintilla Brown graduated from Bethune-Bowman in 1984. She says she couldn’t miss out on the celebration.
“I’m really excited because I am an alumni of Bowman High School,” Brown said. “I’m excited we are rooting for them. We know we got it we going all the way in.”
The Mohawks play on Saturday at Florence City Center at noon against Christ Church Episcopal School.