INDIANAPOLIS -- Emotions ran high Friday night at the William R. Smith Sr. Court. The Broad Ripple Rockets played their very last home game, as the school will close its doors at the end of the school year.
"It's really special to me," said senior point guard Xavier White. "We've been grinding it out this whole season and there's not gonna be a next year, for even the freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. It's really sad for us, because the seniors that are graduating. We're not going to be with each other anymore."
The high school is closing for low attendance. There are more than 90 years of basketball history, including a state championship in 1980.
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Amil'ion Wilburn, White's teammate, said he's also grappling with it.
"Knowing it's the last year here, I've been here since seventh grade," he said. "It's sad because I know that I won't be able to come back and visit."
Walking out with their families at halftime on Senior Night, Xavier and his teammates are reminded that the things they learned at Broad Ripple High School will last far longer than any building.
"My basketball coaches taught me a lot of lessons, not just in basketball but in life," White said. "I made a lot of connections and I'm proud to be a rocket."
White, Wilburn, and the rest of the Rockets won in their last home game, 46-33. The Rockets will play in the 3A Men's Basketball State Tournament next week.
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