Alva Review-Courier -

Yvonne Miller

As the excitement mounts, the South Barber High School Chieftains basketball team is introduced at the KSHAA Boys Class 1A Division I Basketball Tournament at Hays State University. Exchange student David Belohlavek waves as his name is called to the cheering Chieftain fans who've enjoyed watching the 6-foot-4 junior help the team this year. This 2017 SBHS Chieftain basketball team is just the third boys team to qualify for state. The first was in 2002 and then in 2011 when the boys reportedly placed fourth at state. They played St. Francis who was a No. 3 seed in the tournament with a 21-2 record. The Chieftains entered state with a record of 19-4 and were a No. 6 seed. The score was close throughout most of the game and then St. Francis emerged victorious 49-36. As SBHS Principal Brent Shaffer told the school board at their meeting Monday night, "We competed and we played. I'm proud of them." Head Coach Tim Carey told the Newsgram before the game, "It's been a fun year no matter what happens. It's hard to get there (to state)." In the pic from far end are: Coach Carey, Spencer Kimmell, Cole Coggins, Trae Rathgeber; (mostly hidden) Gavin Doherty and Grant Cantrell; David, Brent Grismer, Neal Gugelmeyer, Gage Cantrell, Kobe Carey, Trevor Rooks, Brian Farney and Assistant Coach Steve Roberts.