The atmosphere was charged.
The Snyder crowd, full of familiar faces and also folks who were there for the first time, dwarfed the sparse collection of Perryton supporters and was loud, animated and on their feet with about 10 minutes to go -- before tip-off.
The cheerleaders stretched a little bit longer and smiled just a little bit wider, the photographers triple-checked their camera settings and the anticipation traveled through the gym like an electrical current.
Amid all this, it would be easy to assume that the young Lady Tigers would be edgy and nervous.
Instead, the Baby Bunch came out like steely-eyed operatives, took true aim on the target and hit it center mass.
“No heroes,” one of the Lady Tigers said after it was over, the scoreboard still reading 69-47 in favor of the area champions.
So, without naming names, we’ll tell give you that the senior leader made string music all night from behind the arc, serving warning from her very first shot that this night belonged to Snyder.
The freshman point guard dribbled circles around the poor girls assigned to defend her, heaving daring full-court passes and grabbing steals on the first two Perryton possessions.
The sophomore wing, so fundamentally sound, created space, making tough shots off the dribble and sinking clutch free throws.
The other sophomore forward took advantage of mismatches with the confidence of a gunslinger, scoring 10 of the Lady Tigers’ first 18 points.
The sophomores and freshman at the post handled their taller and more experienced counterparts, hauling in tough rebounds and making crisp passes from underneath the basket.
The Lady Tigers emerged from the dressing room proud of winning the first girls basketball playoff game in school history, and rightfully so.
This improbable collection of talented, skilled, unselfish and very well coached young girls has enthusiastically scaled every mountain that has loomed before them this year.
And now they encounter the most difficult challenge any team can face -- crossing the mighty Canyon, which boasts two handfuls of state championships and is appropriately regarded as one of the best basketball programs in the country.
“This was a total team effort,” the same player said with that wide smile, and there was no doubting her sincerity or her joy.
What a season.
What a story.
Thanks, 11.