'A dream come true:' What Guntersville boys basketball thought of Final Four season
BIRMINGHAM − Guntersville boys basketball had a historic season, even though the AHSAA Final Four game didn't go their way.
The Wildcats battled back late in the fourth quarter but ultimately fell 75-70 to Vigor late on Wednesday at Legacy Arena. It was a game that only got out of hand once before the Wildcats stormed back late. The game ended with the Wildcats making 5 of their last 7 and Vigor making their last 5 shots. Even with all that, Guntersville coach Brett Self appreciates this team and what this season has been.
"I'm just thankful for this team, this season, this journey," Self said. "We talked about in the locker room, sad its over but thankful it happened."
Before this year it had been 18 years since Guntersville ended their season in Birmingham in the Final Four and after being on the cusp the last two years. A lot of the players and Self dreamed about making it to Birmingham and that dream came true on Wednesday.
"I'm just thankful for it all," CJ Scott said. "I think it was a dream come true for us all and I'm blessed that it all happened. I wouldn't trade it for the world at all. It's just a dream come true for all of us."
That sentiment was echoed by the other players who talked after the game, and it didn't matter the result, the Wildcats players knew that they had accomplished something that was not only historic but something they had imagined years before.
"Even though it didn't come out the way we wanted, I wouldn't trade it for the world," Treyvon Avery said. "I just wouldn't turn back on anything, I don't regret anything."
One reason it was a great experience for Guntersville boys basketball was the crowd that made the trek down to support them. The Wildcats had the final game of the day, one that was pushed back an hour but that never deterred the fans.
"Just thankful for the community," Jackson Porch said. "They've shown great support all year and then getting down its no different. Just getting this experience, these two days with these guys has been the best thing I could ask for, even though the game didn't go the way we wanted."
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Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: What Guntersville boys basketball thought of its run to the AHSAA Final Four
