Chants of "Save New Hope" rained down from the Giant Center seats behind New Hope Academy's bench Friday evening.
The Mighty Ants' boys' basketball team, a collection of 17 teenagers ranging from freshmen to seniors, danced and hugged on center court after the final buzzer, delicious gold medals soon to be draped around their necks.
For the moment, those medals and the nifty District 3 Class A championship trophy were all that mattered to these boys, who were celebrating the first title of its kind in program history.
"This makes us come together," sophomore Montrel Morgan said moments later. "We don't have any worries on the court. That's why we're so passionate about what we do every single day."
The worries, though, remain heavy off the court, as the charter school from York is scheduled to close its doors after this school year.
The New Hope community, and most definitely the basketball players and coaches, are fighting passionately to appeal last year's decision to deny an application for charter renewal.
York City School District, struggling financially like so many other school districts, denied that original application, though the fight continues through courts and hearings.
It was originally announced in the fall New Hope would close in January, but that deadline was extended, and the school is safe now only through the end of the school year. New Hope is eying a five-year charter extension.
If the school closes, the Mighty Ants' four juniors, five sophomores (including two starters) and three freshmen would have to find new academic digs next year, many possibly returning to York High.
David Archer, a Harrisburg High product in his first year as head coach at New Hope, knew what he was getting into when he took the job, and, even in the afterglow of a championship victory, addressed the situation before talking about any of the actual basketball game.
"We talked about using basketball as an outlet to bring positive attention to the school," said Archer, who was previously a head coach at Pine Grove and an assistant at Harrisburg, Bishop McDevitt and PSU Harrisburg.
Archer, his players and some fans wore T-shirts Friday with the simple message of "Save New Hope."
Archer continued: "This was a silent protest. [Thursday] there were cops at different schools in York. Not to get political, but we want them to understand that this is a family, and you're saving kids' lives at this school. It's not about basketball."
He mentioned how 12 of his players boast straight A's in class, that Morgan, a tremendous talent on and off the floor, is being recruited by the likes of Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Penn.
"So you're not closing down a school for money. You're talking about potentially closing down Montrel's future. 'Save New Hope' was our quiet little way of letting people know that we're not going to go quietly into the night. You're not going to close us down and just put on another uniform next year. These kids want to play for New Hope."
Amazingly, the Mighty Ants (14-9) not only survived but thrived during this chaotic season, knocking out all three District 3 foes by double digits: West Shore Christian 75-56 in the quarterfinals, defending champ Lebanon Catholic 71-53 in the semifinals, and Mount Calvary 58-35 in Friday's championship.
And it's not like a collection of NCAA Division I-caliber all-stars make up the roster. Morgan is dynamite, and there is terrific talent in players like seniors NaGus Griggs and Kareem Oden and sophomore Michael Coleman, but the latter three would likely be better suited for Division III or maybe Division II if they desire to play at the next level.
Morgan talked about the uncertainty that surrounds the school and, therefore, the team.
"It's been very difficult because you don't know coming into the gym or going out whether it's going to be the last time," he said after totaling 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in Friday's triumph.
"So every time we get in the gym, we try to work our hardest to make sure that if it is our last time, we went hard with no regrets."
Archer said this season has been the most challenging of his career.
However, his Mighty Ants were not only wearing gold Friday night but smiles from ear to ear that, at least temporarily, mask the consternation felt throughout the small charter school.
"Save New Hope" was a glorious song ringing in their ears.
"It gives me hope that we will stay open," Morgan said. "It gives me confidence. And it lets everybody know what we're about. It shows our faith."