The Selma Times-Journal

There was no flowing ticker tape or thousands of fans lining the sidewalks.

Still, the city stopped and took notice for an afternoon. After winning its second consecutive USCAA national championship, the Concordia College women’s basketball team had its moment in the sun Wednesday.

The team rode atop a fire engine while fans, family, other athletes and coaches from the school and city leaders followed along in the caravan.

Whether the spectators were people just popping their heads out of offices or devoted fans, they all witnessed the celebration of the greatest athletic achievement in tConcordia history.

The Lady Hornets won the tournament on March 1 in Broken Arrow, Okla. Seay earned MVP honors by scoring 29 points with eight rebounds during the final game, a win over Philander Smith. Seay played through the tournament while battling the flu and other injuries. She and Deshawn Butler made the 2008 USCAA All-Tournament Team.

Ernest Foster got all the personal accolades a player could ever want. He had to wait until he began coaching to get a ring.

The parade was more than just a celebration of the Lady Hornets’ two consecutive national championships. It was a celebration of the history of the school, and in a broader sense, of Selma itself.

Foster is the only basketball player, man or woman, to have his jersey retired at Concordia.

He readily admitted that Seay would join him in the rafters of the gym.

For the time being, the Hornets are concentrating on regrouping for next season. There’s no word yet on whether they are giving the city a reason to plan a third parade.