DELAWARE, Ohio — Basketball is bringing the best out of the Delaware community.

The Delaware Hayes High School boys’ basketball team captured its first regional championship last Saturday and now Pacers of all ages are hoping to see the boys make history and take home a state title. 

“I’m excited to be part of that crowd and the atmosphere and be a part of that excitement,” said Cory Ratliff, who is an alum of the high school and now serves as a teacher at the local elementary school. “The athletes, the school district and the community as well, everybody’s very invested in it.”

The news has been buzzing all over town. Community members are discussing the team’s season in local diners and coffee shops. One Delaware Hayes student said the atmosphere has been something he’s never seen before. 

“Everybody has just been hype for them and happy for them,” said Nikkolai Mooney, a student at the high school. “Some people are just really happy.”

As an alum turned elementary school teacher, Ratliff said the most exciting part about it all has been how people of all ages have gotten involved. 

“You know, the six-, seven-, eight-year-old kids who, you know, they’re looking up to and idolizing these high school athletes,” said Ratliff. “It’s just great to see that excitement being generated because usually, you know, they’re talking about NBA players, but for them to be talking about, you know, people that live within their community, it’s just very exciting to see.”

Delaware Hayes will face Cleveland St. Ignatius Saturday at 5:15 p.m.

You can watch all of Saturday’s semifinals and Sunday’s championship games on Spectrum News 1. Friday’s semifinals are available on Spectrum channel 314 and all the games are streaming on the Spectrum News app.