“We have an incredible group of kids, not just on the court, but they have been awesome off the court,” said Coach Andy Wood about his state championship Snowflake High School basketball team.
The Lobos lost just three games all season, including two early in the season to bigger schools.
“They went on an 18 game winning streak,” said Coach Wood, noting they lost to Blue Ridge on Feb. 11.
He wanted boys to get their minds off their sorrows, so he decided to have them deliver Valentines to widows during practice the next day.
The boys made cards with a picture of the team, and they were signed by each player. They gave a card, roses, chocolate covered strawberries and a small box of chocolates to the 38 widows in the community they visited on Friday, Feb. 13.
After the Valentines were delivered, they went to Coach Wood’s home and sat around talking about how awesome the experience was.
“None of it was about basketball. The boys talked about who they met,” said the coach, noting every player received a hug from the widows they visited.
“Monday after that their focus was very, very good,” said Coach Wood, and they prepared for the big tournament.
The Lobos beat Phoenix Cortez in the quarterfinals, Tucson Palo Verde in the semifinals and on Saturday, Feb. 28, they defeated San Tan Valley Combs 57-52 to earn the Division III state title.
