The team members, who started their journey to the state basketball tournament in Salina, were greeted on their way out of Tonganoxie by well-wishers who lined Fourth Street, waving at the team bus.

A police escort led the team out of town, while fire trucks blocked off traffic for the state-bound Chieftains. Tonganoxie elementary students also greeted the team bus in front of the school with several signs. A greeting made of styrofoam cups stuffed through the chain-link fence south of the playground read: “Good Luck At State!”

About 3 p.m., the team planned to stop in Solomon for a shoot-around at Solomon High. Tonganoxie Junior High instructor Chris Weller, who is a Solomon alumnus, coordinated the practice.

When the team arrives at its hotel — The Hampton Inn — the players will get ready for another team meal and then will head to the Salina Bicentennial Center between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The Chieftains will watch part of the Colby-Labette County game and will watch the Iola-Buhler game.

Then it will be game time for Tonganoxie.

The Chieftains (21-2) will take on Royal Valley at 8:15 p.m.

If Tonganoxie loses, the team’s season will end.

A win, however, will put the team in the state semifinals and guarantee either a spot in the consolation game at noon Saturday or the state finals at 4 p.m.

Check back to The Mirror’s Web site for updates from Salina and expanded coverage of the Chieftains’ journey to state in the March 16 edition of The Mirror.