The rain held off just long enough Thursday afternoon for Pine Bluff High School to celebrate a second consecutive championship reign.
Students, faculty, staff and community leaders gathered in the school’s courtyard to honor the Zebra basketball team for winning back-to-back state championships following its 68-63 victory against Benton in Hot Springs on March 8.
The band, cheerleaders and dance team performed several times to entertain the crowd. At the end of the event, a DJ played music as students danced.
Head coach Billy Dixon was one of several people to speak to the crowd, and he started by thanking a long list of people, including school administrators and parents.
“We had a lot of support, and a lot of things to come our way, and that’s what you have to have when you’re trying to build a championship program,” Dixon said. “To my guys: I know it’s been challenging. I know it’s been difficult. We’ve had our moments and times, but this is why it’s all worth it. It makes it all worth it, and I want to say to my guys, thank you very much. Let’s go Zs.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Dixon also recognized his student-athletes for their academic accomplishments by announcing the team has a 3.5 team GPA.
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington declared Thursday to be “Pine Bluff High School Zebra 2024 Back-to-back Championship Day” in Pine Bluff. Washington also announced the “Welcome to Pine Bluff” signs located at various entrances to the city will be updated to honor the Zebras, and a new sign will be constructed near the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
PBHS senior guards Braylen Hall and Courtney Crutchfield thanked everyone who attended the event.
“It was a blessing for us to get us another championship,” Crutchfield said. “I mean, it ain’t been done since like, 1930-something, so that was big for this program. Next year, don’t drop it, now. Y’all gotta keep pushing, now. Go Zs.”
Other speakers included: PBHS principal Ronnieus Thompson; “Stack 3” from Power92 Jams; Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree; state Rep. Vivian Flowers; Rosetta Giddens, the chief of staff for Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson; and PBHS student council executive president John Thompson, a senior.
Faculty and students perform a line dance during Pine Bluff High School’s 5A boys basketball state championship rally. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Pine Bluff High School basketball teammates dance in lockstep to a jam toward the end of their 5A state championship ceremony Thursday, March 14, 2014, at the school courtyard. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree sends her congratulations to the 5A state championship Zebras basketball team. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Two-time state tournament MVP Courtney Crutchfield addresses the crowd at the Pine Bluff High School courtyard during the Zebras’ state championship ceremony. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Pine Bluff High School boys basketball coach Billy Dixon makes remarks during the Zebras’ state championship ceremony. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Pine Bluff High School cheerleaders perform a routine. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
The 5A state championship trophy is now engraved with the names of the Pine Bluff High School basketball team members. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)