U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL JOHNSON Proudly Representing Eastern and Southeastern Ohio

“To be successful it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”

That was a saying used by Meigs County Commissioner Mike Bartrum to describe the 2014 season of the State Champion Eastern Lady Eagles at Tuesday’s pep rally.

It was not the efforts of one but the achievements of the team as a whole which were recognized by many during Tuesday night’s event.

Eastern Local basketball announcer Randy Wachter served as emcee for the event, announcing the names of each girl on the team before announcing the various speakers for the evening.

The Eastern High School cheerleaders lead the crowd in cheers as the team entered the gym to begin the rally.

Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood commented that this championship has made people “feel like there are more than just the bad things in their back yard.”

He added that the community needed this — something good and to get excited about. This also plants seeds of a good thing that has made this county proud.

Sheriff Wood stated that when he started to sketch the parade route it expanded a lot, but the drawing he ended up with was in the shape of an eagle. The sketch was presented to Coach John Burdette along with a plaque to recognize the team’s accomplishments.

Eastern Local Board of Education President Floyd Ridenour spoke on behalf of the board, congratulating the ladies and their coaches.

Eastern boys basketball head coach Jeremy Hill spoke about girls head coach John Burdette, stating that they were very fortunate to have John work with the ladies on basketball.

He added that for many this has made them relive their youth, and for the youth it has given them dreams to also be champions.

Members of the boys team presented each girl with a flower and a gift card, along with a gas car to the coaches. As Hill stated, the girls can go out to eat again as a team, and the gas will help with the estimated 5,000 miles traveled to scout or pick up game tapes this year.

Eastern Principal Shawn Bush, speaking on behalf of Larry Brandeberry, presented each of the girls with a plaque from Brandeberry. Each plaque was in the shape of an “E” and included the girls record and state champions.

Dan Short of Ohio Valley Bank was the next to speak.

“If you like it you should have put a ring on it,” said Short quoting a song.

Short then presented head coach John Burdette and the Eastern Athletic Boosters with a check for $1,000 from Ohio Valley Bank to be used toward the championship rings for the team.

The Meigs County Commissioners presented the Lady Eagles and the coaching staff with a proclamation recognizing their achievements.

The proclamation listed some of the achievements as a 27-1 overall record, the state title, a combined team GPA of 3.78 and five team members on the National Honor Society.

The proclamation also proclaimed March 15 (the day the team won the title) as Lady Eagle Day.

Commissioner Randy Smith added, “for a brief moment you united all of Meigs County.”

Ashley Smith, on behalf of Congressman Bill Johnson, presented a Congressional Proclamation to the team.

State Representative Debbie Phillips presented commendations from the Ohio House to each of the team members and coaching staff.

She added that she and Senator Lou Gentile will work with the district to bring the team to the Statehouse for recognition of their achievement.

Judge Scott Powell read an entry from Judges Powell, Carson Crow and Steven Story in honor of the team’s accomplishments. The entry states in part, the Eastern Lady Eagles have achieved excellence on the basketball court and academically.

Head coach John Burdette thanked Athletic Director Sam Thompson, all of those that came out to support the team and the girls — past and present — who have been part of making the program a success.

He added that he always believed that the girls could be state champions, even telling the radio announcers that as far back as six years ago soon after he began coaching the team.

Jenna Burdette spoke about the wonderful ride the team has been on this year and enjoying it all together.

Hannah Hawley, team manager, said this was a year she will never forget and the remember that “we are winners.”

Maddie Rigsby thanked all of the supporters and encouraged all of the little kids to play basketball.

“You don’t realize how much you love something until you don’t have it,” Rigsby said, recounting the point when she almost did not play basketball a few years back.

Boys basketball player Ross Keller lead the crowd in the “I believe” chant as he did at many games this year to conclude the event.