Anamosa boys’ basketball on brink of history

ANAMOSA - The Anamosa High School class of 2016 has proved to be one of the top classes ever to come through the school, not because of their athletic accomplishments, but also their character.

This class has shown tremendous integrity throughout its tenure of Anamosa Community Schools. Whether it was making Wyatt Gracey, who was born with Down syndrome, feel on top of the world by voting him homecoming king, presenting an idea to the school board for something they know is right, or being champions athletically, they have had incredible success in whatever they do.

This success started back in third grade, and has continued in an amazing way this basketball season.

Aaron Zumbach and Mark Hunt put together a traveling basketball squad more than 10 years ago. Memories were made and it was a tremendous experience, but the main reason for putting the team together was to prepare these athletes for their high school days. For their senior year. For now.

Those youth coaches didn't just teach these Raiders how to properly play basketball, but how to conduct themselves while having success.

Everything the Raiders have been dreaming of for more than 10 years will come down to Saturday night. Through every tournament they played in and every championship they won throughout the years, the Raiders have had one thing on their mind - Wells Fargo Arena.

Anamosa has won 15 of its last 16 games, is ranked fifth in the state, and is one game away from making a childhood dream a reality. The Raiders are one win away from making more history and giving Anamosa its first state basketball experience.

Although the Raiders have had a historical amount of success this year, by winning the Wamac Conference championship, and becoming the only Anamosa basketball team to win its district and make it to substate in more than 20 years, the year started off rough. That rough start has certainly helped Anamosa on this run to the state tournament.

After a 4-4 start to the year, and unacceptable losses to Western Dubuque and Cascade heading into Christmas break, the Raiders have come out more motivated than ever. After Christmas break, they have lost just one time and now in the substate final against Iowa City Regina.

Dreams don't always come true, but these Raiders have a golden opportunity to give the community what it has been waiting for so long - a state title and a dream come true.