STATE CHAMPS: Crusaders will be welcomed home with parade, pep rally

Mark the date and the time.

At 3:56 p.m. on March 19, 2016, on the Carver Arena floor that claims to be the home of America’s “Original March Madness,” the Althoff Crusaders secured the Class 3A state championship, delivering Belleville its first basketball title in 99 seasons of high school sports history.

The Crusaders defeated Lincoln-Way West 62-37 to achieve a goal the talented team set after losing to Westchester St. Joseph in the title game last year.

The champions will be welcomed home with a fire truck parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, followed by a pep rally at the Althoff gym.

Jordan Goodwin led the way for Althoff with 19 points and 10 rebounds. It was the seventh straight post-season game that the 6-foot-3 junior was his team’s top scorer.

"Making history. It's big,” Goodwin said. “It's a great feeling to do it for the whole city of Belleville. Our fans are great, our parents ... I just want to thank everybody that supported us through the journey."

For the players, the victory came as a relief, especially for the seven seniors who got a taste of success last season, only to fall in the championship game to Westchester St. Joseph, which placed fourth in this season’s state final.

Senior Keenen Young, a four-year starter, experienced losses in three state championship games, including those he endured on the football field last fall and during his freshman season. For him, the championship conquest is bittersweet.

“We’ve been together for so long, it’s like we grew up together. We’re like brothers,” Young said. “We hang out on the weekends and during the week, even when we’re not practicing or playing. I’m going to miss my guys and I’m going to miss all of this.”

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This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 3:56 PM with the headline "STATE CHAMPS: Crusaders will be welcomed home with parade, pep rally."