Two years ago B.J. Ross was a school administrator in Van Buren. Then he received a chance to do something special.
Ross came back to Charleston to do one thing, bring a championship home to the Tigers boys basketball team. Now, he's got his chance. The Tigers play in the 3A state championship game Saturday.
"I told the kids in the locker room, they don`t realize how special it is coming back home and being able to do this," said coach Ross. "There is a lot of people who have laid the ground work for this from parents to junior high coaches to ex coaches, people of that nature. This community is so important to me and important to these kids."
Ross returned to Charleston last season but was bounced in the quarterfinals by Episcopal Collegiate. Now the Tigers get a chance at payback on the biggest stage of them all.
"It`s going to take us playing and doing what we do, what we`ve been doing all season," said Charleston player Andrew Smith.
"We`re just going to have to go do our thing," said Charleston junior Ty Storey. "Keep working hard and just do everything we can to the best of our ability."
Charleston and Episcopal were the two heavy favorites when the 3A bracket was released. Now the two will decide who brings home the hardware.
"Episcopal is very good but I`m going to tell you, last year they were very good as well and we got beat at the buzzer and I think we`re going to have to go down and use our size and our physical nature to have a chance with them," said Ross.
Tip off is slated for 12:45 Saturday at Summit Arena.