Del City Basketball Team Gets A Surprise Donation For Championship Rings

The grind of the basketball season is tough, and after winning the gold ball comes the challenge of getting the rings for the players.

“Season kind of started off a little slow, had a few losses,” said Lenny Hackett, Del City High School head basketball coach.

Then in mid-January things began to turn around for the team.

“We kind of went on an 11-game win streak to get to the state finals,” said Hackett.

The team has eight seniors, including McDonald's all-American and the top player in the state Brandon Garrison.

“It’s always been our goal just to win state, all the work that we put in just to get there,” said Garrison.

Del City won the 5A championship but that’s not where the season ends.

“A lot of things are always overwhelming, you’re trying to figure out championship t-shirts, things like that. Make sure you’re having a banquet, and all those things that go into it, and of course the championship rings,” said Hackett.

Most would assume the school or the district would purchase the rings.

“No, the school district doesn’t buy the rings, you know, they can get pretty pricey,” said Hackett.

The team has been doing fundraisers, like selling champion t-shirts, to assure every player gets a ring.

“You know I’ve always tried to make sure I found a way to get it done,” said Hackett.

“The man was asking God for a way to provide,” said Kevin Hill, principal at Epperly Heights Elementary School in Del City.

Hill taught some of the players on the team.

“I just tell him thank you. I appreciate everything you told me and everything you’ve done for me,” said Jaedon Foreman, senior player on the team.  

It was at this month’s school board meeting that Principal Hill and his family made the shocking presentation of $5,000 to help with the purchase of rings.

“Take off that burden from families, man these guys, why would you have to pay for something that you have already earned,” said Hill.

“It was definitely an emotional experience for not only myself and my players and coaches, but I think for the district overall,” said Hackett.

For Principal Hill, it was the investment in the accomplishment of the players that they hopefully cherish for the rest of their lives.