Before Friday's pep rally, before the firetruck escort, before Saturday's championship game, Holy Cross starter Kerry Kearney said he had a goal.
"We're trying to take in every moment," he said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The Crusaders will play Beaver Falls for the PIAA class AA boys championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Giant Center in Hershey.
On Friday afternoon, students, staff and parents filled the Holy Cross High School gym. The fans chanted "We are ... Holy Cross" and blew air horns. Signs taped to the walls encouraged the boys to "make history" and "play like champions."
Members of the team ran through the haze caused by a fog machine, ripping through signs painted with their names. Cheerleaders shook silver pompoms and flipped in the air. A drummer, set up on the end of the court, kept a fast beat.
Coach Al Callejas spoke about how during the blur of the playoffs, one thing became clear.
"The Holy Cross family we talk about is not just talk," he said. "It's real."
His plan is not to bring home chocolate from Hershey. He wants to bring back gold.
When it was time for Principal Benjamin Tolerico to speak, students chanted "Uncle Ben." Mr. Tolerico laughed and explained it was a play on "Uncle Ben, like the rice."
"You will not find better people and a better community ... than what we have at Holy Cross High School," he said.
Josh Kosin, the team's 6-foot-7 center, thanked his peers for their continued support. A few minutes later, he made a dunk and the crowd erupted. Then Mr. Callejas was passed the ball. On the second attempt, from nearly half court, the coach drained a hook shot. Cheers in the crowd grew even louder.
The Rev. Brian J.T. Clarke, school chaplain, offered the closing prayer, asking for safe travels, wisdom for the coaches and stamina and vision for the players. He also asked to "come back with gold."
Students then filed out of gym and stood on both side of the school's driveway, down to a Martz bus waiting on East Drinker Street. Girls, dressed in their uniform skirts, shivered, waiting for the team.
In the parking lot, parents passed window paint from car to car, carefully writing "Go Holy Cross" on their car windows. They took photos and shouted well wishes as their sons were greeted with high fives from the assembled students.
Dunmore firetrucks and police cars lined the street, their lights on and sirens blaring as they escorted the bus to the highway.
Sophomore James Wetter had stood near the bus doors, wearing shorts and a Hershey's Kiss costume. The costume had been worn by his sister in kindergarten, coming down to her ankles. It came down to his waist.
The costume was just one way to support his Crusaders.
"These players are amazing," he said. "They work so hard."
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter