The lights were out Wednesday morning at Grayson County High School at the beginning of a pep rally for the Lady Cougars as they prepared to depart for northern Kentucky for the program’s first appearance in the Sweet 16.
The palpable excitement among the student body that filled the gymnasium rose to a fever pitch when, without warning, the lights came on, illuminating the 3rd Region champs for all to see.
Principal Todd Johnston and head coach Daniel Pharris further stimulated the exhilaration as they spoke on the hard work and dedication the team has displayed in order to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. Johnston added that the school requested more tickets to Thursday night’s game because their allotment had been gobbled up by a fan base eager to cheer on the girls at the state tournament.
The championship squad, clearly electrified by the overwhelming support, then embarked on a journey that the players will not soon forgot.
With sirens blasting, the squad was escorted by law enforcement and fire department personnel as the team toured each school in the county.
At every stop, no one was left in the respective schools because they were all — dressed in orange and blue — on the curbside yelling, waving signs and cheering on the team as the girls, hanging out the windows of the bus, waved back and screamed their appreciation to each crowd.
Along the route, workers left their jobs to wave and offer support as the girls passed through Caneyville, Clarkson and Leitchfield.
Win or lose, the Grayson County High School Lady Cougars will not soon forget the first class send-off they received as they embarked on the journey of a lifetime.
Good Luck, Lady Cougars!
To visit a photo gallery of the pep rally and community send-off, click here.
GCHS takes on Covington Holmes at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights at 7:00 Thursday night.
