QC Storm Hockey & Moline Boys Basketball - State Champs!!!

A big thank you to my work for the tickets to the Quad City Storm hockey game. Chick-fil-A is a sponsor for the Storm, so we are given free tickets. We enjoyed the evening with family and even came out with an overtime win!

The 2022-2023 basketball season was very exciting for Moline! Our boys high school team went undefeated in conference and only lost 3 games (all non-conference)! We knew that we had a special team - full of great players who had played together for many years. Maddie and I attended most of the season games (while Will played for Pep Band). Unfortunately, Maddie wasn't able to ask off work in time for the post season games, but I went by myself (Alex and Alex joined me at one of the games). While the Regional games were held near Chicago (Bradley-Bourbonnais), Moline was fortunate to host the Sectional games at our own Wharton Field House. With Moline still in the running, the Sectional tickets were quickly sold and Wharton was packed! It was an amazing experience to be a part of - and when we won the Sectional title, it was wonderful! 

We spotted Fran McCaffrey with 2 of his sons - Jack & Connor (sitting first row above the black & gold Galesburg flag). McCaffrey is the coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes - where 2 of the Moline seniors have committed to play next year. 

 

We played in Bloomington-Normal a few days later for the Super-Sectional Title and Won! While we didn't attend that game, we listened to the game online and felt the stress, just like we were there! We won the game 59-55. We were moving on to the Final 4!!

Due to work requirements and other commitments, we weren't able to drive down to Champaign (3 hours one way) to watch the first game of the Final 4. I am thankful they played the game on TV, though! We won the first game 50-36! We would play for the championship title the next day! As soon as we won the first game, we purchased tickets for the 4 of us to attend the championship game. We hit the road early on Saturday - stopping in Peoria to shop at a few Goodwills, eat lunch at Tyronni's and had time to shop at the Goodwill in Champaign before heading to the stadium for the game.

The twins work place - showing support!

The State Farm Center, where the Fighting Illini play. Even being a huge Iowa fan (and hating the Illini), it was quite the experience to watch a game in this arena!

For the championship game, we went up against the #1 ranked (4A) school in Illinois. We were ranked #2. How fitting! It was a hard fought game - with Moline winning! We are the Illinois 4A State Champs!!!

We hit the road for home, stopping only for gas. Unfortunately, it was a long drive with rain and temps dropping below freezing. Arriving home around 1am, we were exhausted - but so excited!

The following day, the team was given a police escort to Wharton Fieldhouse for a celebration to welcome them home. Maddie & I walked up to the Avenue to record them driving past. Matt drove to Wharton to see them arrive and took a few pictures of the celebration inside Wharton. It was a great way to finish out the wonderful, magical season!

This video is a lengthy one, but it is a highlight reel of our full season, put together by one of our local sports reporters. 

What an amazing season to witness and be a part of! Way to go Maroons!