[caption id="attachment_5281" align="aligncenter" width="626"]<a href="https://mountainmedianews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2014/05/304-Elite-9th.-grade-basketball-team.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-5281" alt="Team members: Front Row: Nathan Lemons (left), Darian Munsey and Bryson Penn; Second Row: Devin Persinger (left), Logan Taylor, Jasiah Rawls and Billy Honaker. Coaches are Doug Persinger and David Canterbury. " src="https://mountainmedianews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2014/05/304-Elite-9th.-grade-basketball-team.jpg" width="626" height="470" /></a> Team members: Front Row: Nathan Lemons (left), Darian Munsey and Bryson Penn; Second Row: Devin Persinger (left), Logan Taylor, Jasiah Rawls and Billy Honaker. Coaches are Doug Persinger and David Canterbury.[/caption] <h5>Mother’s Day weekend started off great for the 304 Elite 9th grade team, who spent their Saturday on the hardwoods. The team traveled to Covington, VA, to play in the May Flower Show Down. The team once again competed against top competition from around the region facing teams from Alleghany County, VA, Blacksburg, VA and Shady Springs.</h5> The 304 Elite followed up the past few week’s success with another impressive showing by winning the Championship and going undefeated on the day. Playing a little shorthanded with only seven guys available for this weekend’s games, the guys worked exceptionally well together and played very unselfishly throughout the day. The 304 Elite put forth a tremendous effort, enduring quite a long day. The team took the floor first against the Alleghany Bandits who are a quality team that is very well coached and extremely athletic. The game went back and forth throughout the first half but the Elite found their shot in the second half and secured a big win 48-37. The Elite would than face the Auburn Tigers from Blacksburg, VA. The Elite only lead by 8 points at the half but picked up the defensive pressure in the second half and won easily 66-41. The win lead the Elite back to a familiar foe, the Shady Springs Tigers in a matchup of WV teams to battle it out for the Championship. The Tigers proved to be a worthy opponent as the two teams went back and forth throughout the game but the Elite’s clutch shooting and smothering defense proved to be too much for the Tigers as the Elite captured the crown with a 47-39 victory. The win was a result of great teamwork, hustle, and unselfish play by each team member who continues to put WE before ME each and every game. The victory continues the trend for the 304 Elite team who have managed to play in the Championship game in every tournament they have entered so far this year. The success of the team can only be explained by the chemistry of the team members and their shared belief to give God all the glory for their success. The team will play throughout the summer and will continue to put Christ first in everything they do as they strive to lead others to him through their actions.
