The Lynwood High School boys basketball team seized the CIF State Division V Championship title after a thrilling 89-58 victory over Sierra High School on March 10 in Sacramento, where they were cheered on by friends, family and NBA Hall of Fame player Paul Pierce.
The championship title closes out a record-breaking season for the LHS Knights, which advanced to the state championship for the first time in 50 years following their 87-65 win against Pacifica Christian High School during the CIF State Division V Regional Championship on March 7.
The team has received an outpouring of support from the Lynwood community for their perseverance throughout the season. LHS cheer and dance teams also displayed show-stopping performances that kept the crowd on their feet. Pierce, a high school teammate of current LHS coach Jason Crowe, also provided words of encouragement to the team ahead of the state championship game.
Crowe worked closely with the team in recent months to practice and hone their skills and pushed them to work hard while encouraging sportsmanship and positivity.
“We are so incredibly proud of this hard-working team for their dedication and commitment to the sport, their teammates and our Lynwood community,” Superintendent Gudiel Crosthwaite, Ph.D. said. “Thank you to students, families, staff and Coach Crowe for supporting our student-athletes during an exhilarating season. They demonstrate that when we work together as a team and a community, we are sure to succeed in our endeavors.”