The excitement is building for fans cheering on Washington High School's basketball team as they continue to pursue a state championship.
The Purgolders are one game away from the state championship and everyone is anxious and eager for the school to bring back one these state championship trophies. It'll be the school's first since state Championship since 1993.
The team is heading to the state semi-finals in Madison for the second year in a row. But this year is different says senior guard Jordan Dinsmore, the Purgolders have found a way to keep fighting and slugging on and off the court.
“We're excited but focused, we know we got here last year but we came up short so our main goal now is just to stay focused to win the game," said Dinsmore.
"It's been tough," said Freddie Riley, head basketball coach.
Just last month junior standout Deontay Long plead guilty for being a party to an armed robbery last summer.
It's a Class C Felony and the district attorney is recommended four years of confinement. Since his plea, many have questions on how he's been able to still play in the state tournament.
Milwaukee Public Schools says the citywide athletic code of conduct requires a student who is charged with a violation under Wisconsin State Statues to be suspended from athletics for 25 percent of the season.
"In this specific case, the student also participated in cross country, which is a fall sport. Therefore, the penalty applied to 25 percent of the cross country season, as that is the sport the athlete would have participated in first," MPS said.
The school's chess team was also recognized Thursday during the rally they’re also fighting for a state championship.
Long is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20. The boys will play La Crosse-Central at 3:15 p.m. Friday. If the team wins, they'll play the state championship game on Saturday.
