After a near-miss 3 years ago the Washington Panthers finally got their hands on the brass ring. Their 56-40 victory over Sterling in Tuesday's super-sectional has earned the Panthers their first trip to state since 1962.

Panthers coach Kevin Brown has guided teams to state tournament before, so before Tuesday's game he told his team that if they are lucky enough to take the floor for Friday's 3A quarterfinals they'll hear "the sweetest roar" they've ever heard. That provided the motivation for the historic victory in which Washington opened the game by scoring the first 15 points.

When the team's bus got close to Washington they were met by a police escort, siren blazing. Fans had driven out to meet the team too and were honking their horns.

Imagine the ride home if the Panthers win it all.