Central Lee fans give hefty send off to state tourney

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BY ETHAN LILLARD
PCC SPORTS

CENTRAL LEE - Fans throughout the Central Lee community came out in droves to send off their Hawks as they head to compete in the first-round of the state tournament Monday.

The No. 4 seed Hawks play No. 5 seed Des Moines Christian at 1:30 p.m. in the Class 2A quarterfinals at Principle Park in Des Moines.

Central Lee's players sat up tables and after a cookout, signed baseballs with their signature for the hometown fans. The team went threw two entire buckets.

A podium was set up at home plate, as multiple speakers took their turn cheering on the team and telling stories about the season.

Mark Hulsebus, current school board president, told the story of how current Head Coach Shane Weirather was hired just before the season started and how he was the fastest coach in the school's history to make a state tournament appearance.

Coach Weirather later spoke and gave all of the credit to his players and thanked the crowd for all of their support. He, along with others on the Central Lee staff, encouraged the fans to continue to come cheer the team on at state and hope to see a whole backdrop of black and yellow.

At the end, the players got to take their turns in saying how much they appreciated the fans support and how great the season has been.

Everyone shared the same sentiment, Monday is just the beginning, the goal is a state title.

Players sign shirts and baseballs for fans before heading to Des Moines for Monday's Class 2A state quarterfinal game against Des Moines Christian at 1:30 p.m. Photo by Ethan Lillard/PCC
Central Lee Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier gives a pep talk to fans, players and coaches as part of Sunday night's send off at Central Lee High School. Photo by Ethan Lillard/PCC
baseball, central lee, Des Moines, donnellson, hawks, iowa, sendoff, sports, state tournament

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