Students celebrate back-to-back championships

Members of the team show the trophy to students cheering in the stands. Students at De La Salle Institute celebrated back to back basketball championships with a pep rally at the school on April 12, 2024. For the second consecutive season, the team comprised of students from De La Salle and Southside Occupational Academy in Chicago, won the championship of the IHSA/Special Olympics of Illinois Division II Unified Basketball State Tournament held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in March. Many of Chicago's mascots joined in the fun as special guests and played a game against the unified team during the rally. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

De La Salle’s mascot Meteor Man runs on the court. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Rashawn Allen prepares to high five Add A. Tude, the mascot for IHSA. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Tim Schergen looks to the bleachers to toss a souvenir shirt. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Matthew Furdge shares a victory dance with Clark, the mascot for the Chicago Cubs. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

De La Salle athletic director and coach Tom White speaks during the rally. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Marcus Holmes squeezes between Sparky of the Chicago Fire and Clark of the Chicago Cubs to get the ball during the game. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Christmann Tassey and Rashawn Allen collide with Add A. Tude, the IHSA mascot, as Skates of the Chicago Wolves looks on. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic

Rashawn Allen and Christmann Tassey guard as Marcus Holmes holds mascot Sparky during the game. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Members of the student body laugh as Staley and Sparky collide. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Keynon Davis jumps high to block Clark during the game. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Brandon Dorsey dances with mascots Add A. Tude (IHSA) and Clark (Chicago Cubs) during the celebration. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)