OKAWVILLE, Ill. — For the second year in a row, the girls basketball class 1A state championship is coming back to Okawville, Illinois.
The Rockets took down Illini Bluffs 48 to 36 in the class 1A title game at Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois on Saturday morning.
The Rockets found themselves trailing in the early part of the championship game, but made a strong run in the second half, sparked by a 33-point performance from senior guard Alayna Kraus.
"It doesn't happen to a lot of people to go once, but to go twice and take the title twice is something you don't hear about very often. But I have to keep going back to the players I have because they're the reason we're here," head coach Haylee Bowers said.
The Rockets got the royal treatment as they arrived home with the championship trophy on Saturday night, with a police escort and parade into town with hundreds waiting to greet the team at the high school.
"We have so much backing that's part of being in a small town. It's small-tpwn pride. It's something I grew up in and I love it and I don't plan on going anywhere," Bowers said.
It's the fourth state title for the Okawville girls basketball program.
Fellow Washington County, Illinois girls program Nashville came up just short in their bid for a state title on Saturday. The Hornets lost to Peoria Notre Dame 48-46 on a last-second shot.