PEORIA, Illinois -
In their first trip to the semifinals, the Annawan Braves dropped a close contest to Macon Meridian, 51-47. That's after the Braves led an 11-0 run to nearly catch up during the third quarter.
Just hours earlier, there's silence inside Annawan's half-century old gym. But the sound of the semifinal seems to echo across the vintage court all the way from Peoria.
Players names are painted on signs and etched in the memories of a magical season.
"This is really a big deal for Annawan," Colleen Davis, Braves fan.
So big that classrooms are quiet. There's no school today. Streets are deserted. Some 950 folks abandoning Annawan and the surrounding area for the big game with their beloved Braves.
"They are so together with each other," said Linda DeMay, one of the team moms. "They just work off of each other and gel together."
Signs of support are on display all over town. There are banners, shirts and even cars that are decked out for the occasion.
"To see our kids -- and good kids -- really pull though this, it's fantastic. It's good for morale."
And tough on those who must work while everybody else is at the game.
" I'd like to be there," said Michelle Thompson.
Inside Annawan's 70-year-old grocery store, Thompson is one of the few left behind.
" I had somebody else come in and say they wanted to go to the game, but they had to stay back and work," she added. "Somebody has to do it."
Thompson planned to take in the game on the radio Friday afternoon. The sounds of a semifinal playing in Peoria and echoing back to the home court.
While the game didn't go Annawan's way, it's the magic of the moment that captivates this town. The time of year when basketball is more than just a game.
Just hours earlier, there's silence inside Annawan's half-century old gym. But the sound of the semifinal seems to echo across the vintage court all the way from Peoria.
Players names are painted on signs and etched in the memories of a magical season.
"This is really a big deal for Annawan," Colleen Davis, Braves fan.
So big that classrooms are quiet. There's no school today. Streets are deserted. Some 950 folks abandoning Annawan and the surrounding area for the big game with their beloved Braves.
"They are so together with each other," said Linda DeMay, one of the team moms. "They just work off of each other and gel together."
Signs of support are on display all over town. There are banners, shirts and even cars that are decked out for the occasion.
"To see our kids -- and good kids -- really pull though this, it's fantastic. It's good for morale."
And tough on those who must work while everybody else is at the game.
" I'd like to be there," said Michelle Thompson.
Inside Annawan's 70-year-old grocery store, Thompson is one of the few left behind.
" I had somebody else come in and say they wanted to go to the game, but they had to stay back and work," she added. "Somebody has to do it."
Thompson planned to take in the game on the radio Friday afternoon. The sounds of a semifinal playing in Peoria and echoing back to the home court.
While the game didn't go Annawan's way, it's the magic of the moment that captivates this town. The time of year when basketball is more than just a game.
