CARMEL — In the middle of March Madness, a local high school boys' basketball team is making some magic of their own.
University High School in Carmel is headed to its first ever IHSAA State Championship Game, and they plan to lay it all out on the hardwood for one special fan with deep ties to the school.
71-year-old Nancy Webster has been with the team every step of the way, proudly repping her custom number one jersey.
“I don’t know much about sports, but I do know high school kids, and watching them play is like a gift to me,” Webster told WRTV.
On Thursday, she attended the school’s pep rally for the boys’ basketball team, and on Saturday, she will be there for the first ever trip to the IHSAA 2A State Final.
“This truly means so much to me. This is a dream come true. This is something I’ve been thinking about ever since I picked up a basketball,” said junior guard Faisal Mohamud.
“Either way, we’re extremely proud of our kids, but our plan is to go out and win,” added head coach Justin Blanding.
For the coaches, players, and Webster, this shot at a state title is much bigger than basketball.
Webster was the school's long-time director of admissions.
When the small independent college preparatory school opened in 2000 she told WRTV they had around 30 students, now that number has grown to more than 360.
She and her late husband, Chuck Webster, helped to found the high school alongside a group of entrepreneurs.
Chuck passed away in October.
“They envisioned a school that could be student-centered, where every single student who wanted to be on an athletic team could,” Webster said. "There were people who said, no cut, no cuts, no win. Not true.”
Now, that dream is a reality.
The team told WRTV that this historic state run couldn’t have happened without a little blood, sweat, tears, and, of course, Nancy and Chuck.
“We can win for Nancy,” Mohamud said. “I want to make history for her and history for Chuck.”
All four of the high school basketball state finals games will be played Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
University High School Trailblazers (20-9) will take on Manchester (25-2) around 12:45 p.m.
