The boys’ basketball team was doing its best to follow the lead of the state-bound girls’ team: district champions, bi-district champions, and area champions. But the journey ended in the 5A regional quarterfinals on Tuesday when the Redhawks fell to District 10-5A rival Memorial High School 68-58.

“The boys competed as hard as they could last night, they put up a heck of a fight which gave us a chance in the final three minutes, but it didn’t work out in the end,” head coach Stephen Friar said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the crucial stops or scores in the moments we needed it the most, we were able to catch up with them but never break away ahead.”

In a year when the Redhawks were overlooked by many, they exceeded outside expectations according to sophomore Cobe Coleman.

“Everyone expected us to not do well, but that gave us the motivation we needed to prove them all wrong at the beginning of the season,” Coleman said. “We fought for every win, for every moment so, even if our season’s done, we could look back and be proud of what we accomplished.”

Part of the coaching staff for nine years and head coach for six years, Friar calls this squad the best he’s coached.

“This is by far the best total group I’ve had, and it’s an absolute blessing, that I won’t forget, to have seen them put so much work and heart into this season and be rewarded for it,” Friar said. “I’ve learned a lot from them, and I’m glad I got to share moments like beating Heritage and SOC at the buzzer, becoming district champions and just being around them in the weight room, practices, and at every game.”