Two months after their historic victories, the Oakland High School women’s and Oakland Tech men’s basketball teams celebrated their state championships at the Oakland Zoo, a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the resilience of the Oakland community.
“It’s still surreal,” said Remember Chit, a junior at Oakland High. “I’m just starting to process it. It’s amazing.”
“It didn’t really sink in until we went back to school and people started talking about it,” added Keliq Trotter, a junior at Oakland Tech.
Coached by Nita Simpson, the Oakland High women’s team demonstrated unwavering determination, setting out clear goals and learning valuable lessons along the way. Councilmember Treva Reid lauded their success as a beacon of hope for Oakland.
“We are thrilled to celebrate them,” she said. “They’re a shining example of what our youth can achieve with hard work and resilience.”
Despite the challenges faced by Oakland in recent years, these young athletes believe that focusing on positivity and perseverance can lead to triumph.
“No matter what’s going on in your life, there’s always something positive you can do,” said Trotter. “We put in the time and effort, and it paid off.”
“Oakland has so much talent and potential,” added Chit. “With hard work and belief, we can achieve anything.”
The celebration at the Oakland Zoo served as a reminder of the power of sports to inspire, unite, and uplift communities. It’s a testament to the indomitable spirit of Oakland’s youth and the importance of recognizing their accomplishments.
