SANTA ROSA — The drum line played the mighty Warrior beat as hundreds of students lined Santa Rosa Boulevard with signs that read “Go Warriors!”
The student body was out in force and cheering on their team one last time as they cruised past the front of the high school with a police escort en route to the state basketball tournament.
Santa Rosa will take on James Madison-Dallas in the 3A boys basketball semifinals at 1:30 p.m. today at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The matchup pits No. 1 ranked James Madison against No. 2 ranked Santa Rosa in UIL 3A division.
The Warriors plan to kick down the door of the state tourney and win it all.
“We know they are a good team (James Madison) and everyone in the final four is there for a reason,” said Monico Prado, Santa Rosa varsity playmaker. “If we play our game we’ll come out on top.”
The Warriors have already knocked off one No. 1-ranked team early in the season when they dismantled La Marque in a non-district contest held in Hidalgo in December.
The Warriors are a young team, led by senior star Leo Lara who plays above the rim and can take over games.
Santa Rosa has been hot all year, scoring more than 100 points a game five different times this season.
And do the Warriors have game?
They are 34-3 on the season and coming into the state final four tournament on a 19-game winning streak.
In the Warriors’ last 20 games they have blown out their opponents by a 20-point margin or more.
“I’m speechless,” said Rebecca Corpus, Santa Rosa principal. “I’m so honored to be part of their lives.”
She said the boys have taught the community that hard work and perseverance pays off.
“They have worked really hard this season, and they want to win it all,” Corpus said.
