There was a send-off pep rally Thursday at Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago as the boys basketball team heads downstate for the championships.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot stood at center court in the packed gym here at Whitney Young.
"You are a perfect example of when you commit yourself to something that is bigger than yourself. You work for each other," Lightfoot said. "We expect you to be coming back on Sunday state champions."
The height-challenged mayor posed for a picture with the team, some of the players towering over her.
The principal, Dr. Joyce Kenner acknowledged all the students' achievements, athletically and academically.