With championship rings hanging from their necks, the Enterprise Parks and Recreation 8U All-Star Girls Basketball team stood before Enterprise City Council Tuesday to be recognized for winning the state championship.

“Not only did they win the state championship, but they became the first ever girls' basketball program out of Enterprise Parks and Recreation to become state champions,” Superintendent Blake Moore said.

The 7 and 8-year-olds, led by Head Coach Veronica Cook, competed in the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association State Basketball Tournament in Gadsden March 9-10.  The team beat Geneva in the finals, the same team they previously lost to in the district tournament.

“They had time to rebound, time to practice, time to get it together,” Moore said. “These young ladies right here are resilient and strong. They put their mind to it. They put their heart into it and gave it everything they had.”

Moore also credited the parents and Coach Cook for the team’s success. Mayor William E. Cooper agreed.

“We have coaches and parents who support this program and that makes a difference,” Cooper said. “In many places you don’t have the support of the parents and you don’t have the facilities. We are proud to say that’s not the case here in Enterprise.”

This is the second year for the Enterprise Parks and Recreation 8U league, and the first season to feature WNBA jerseys and team names.

“Now, with Jr. NBA, they get to wear the WNBA jerseys just like their role models and athletes they look up to on tv,” Moore said. “So, instead of the Chicago Bulls, they are the Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces, some of the more famous WNBA teams. It was pretty special that this year culminated with that.”

“Young ladies, I would advise you to keep the good work up and one day we look forward to you wearing the Wildcat uniform, running around our courts,” Cooper said.