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Charleston community celebrates high school basketball state title
The Charleston Bluejays recently brought home a MSHSAA Class 3 State Championship and the congratulations are pouring in from the community and some notable alumni.
Charleston defeated Lafayette County 58-56 in the title game on Friday, March 11, at JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo. It was the Bluejays 12th state championship and the program’s 24th trip to the final four.
Warren E. Hearnes Elementary School Principal Adam Grindstaff:
“The Charleston High School boys basketball championship is important to the elementary in two major ways. We have the students during their foundational years and when they are looking for heroes. Kids have dreams and getting to see older students from their school and community winning a championship is pretty close to any championship at the national level. Our kids grow up with these champions, and our elementary kids and staff need things to be proud of throughout the years. Getting to have the team and their coach take time to parade through our building and connect with our younger students was a memory our students will not forget. That memory is something they can relate to and work to replicate in the future. To me, personally, being able to find a way to show pride for the hard work and dedication of our high schoolers, through the support of our elementary students and staff is something elementary principals hope for. Seeing the inspired looks from all our students as they got to meet and cheer for the older students is what I hope for every year. It is an awesome feeling.”
Charleston alumni and former Major League Baseball player Matt Whiteside:
The Charleston basketball program is definitely a point of pride, I follow them yearly as best I can, and was certainly excited, happy and proud of them for winning the state championship again this year. Having been a part of the 1986 championship team, playing for Coach (Lennies) McFerren is something that I have always been proud of. I often talk about the Charleston program with friends, colleagues and basketball fans in general. The basketball program in the entire community of Charleston should be very excited and proud of the team this year and what the future holds for that group of young men.”
Former Lady Jay and current Culver-Stockton player Ashanti Jones:
“Charleston basketball and winning the state title means everything to me. It’s like a tradition or a holiday for Charleston goes to the Show-Me Showdown. I love Charleston basketball so much and if I could, I’d do anything to play for my high school one last time just to be in that royal blue thread or in that atmosphere. The Blue Jays have made it to state a numbers of times and no matter if they win or not, I’ll always be a Blue Jay at heart and no one will change the fact that I’m bleeding blue when it comes to Charleston. Coach Jamarcus Williams will always deserve it because he works so hard with the boys. Winning the state title is a true blue tradition.”
Sikeston standout sophomore Dontrez Williams:
“Charleston represented the boot hill very well. They’ve worked hard and came to play every game. They definitely deserved it.”
Charleston R-1 Schools District Superintendent Jeremy T. Siebert:
“The Charleston High School basketball team winning their 12th state title was very special for sure. This young team and the coaches have defied the odds all season. From winning the SEMO Conference Regular Season Title to the Christmas Tournament Championship to the Class 3 State Championship. I could not be more proud of these young men and we’re all Bluejay Proud.”
Former Charleston and current Southwestern Illinois player Sam Bledsoe, who’s younger brother Ben Bledsoe was a senior on the state championship winning team:
“Seeing my little brother win a state title was an amazing ending to his basketball career, for him, for me, for my family,. My dad and I used to drag this kid to St. Henry’s gym almost every night for years. Then Ben went through a very weird sickness/injury in middle school that completely took him out of sports for a good while and it almost ruined the game of basketball for him because he fell behind. After that, basketball was put on the back burner and he started putting his extra time and effort into baseball. Ben has been through a lot of adversity with basketball and he hasn’t always enjoyed it, but to see him go out with a state title exactly 30 years after my dad did was amazing and God couldn’t have written it out any better. For the community it’s awesome because everybody almost expects us to go to the final four or win it all. It was the first time in 10 years since we have won state and it was very needed after all this town has gone through recently.”
Three Rivers College head basketball coach Brian Bess, who was an assistant coach when Charleston head coach Jamarcus Williams played for the Raiders:
“I’m very proud of Jamarcus. He’s a great leader and coach. Charleston has represented Southeast Missouri well. Plus, they have many players coming back that will help them to do it again next year.”
Charleston High School Athletic Director Michael Minner:
“I’m so proud for our community. Basketball unites us. It’s been fun to watch these guys over the season. Our fans have been tremendous. When there’s success like this it makes the hallways better at school. People are proud to put on the blue and white, but there’s a lot of pressure that goes with success. Our kids handled it like true professionals. No one will ever be able to take this away from them. I’m always proud to be a Bluejay, and I’m really proud right now.”