As the Keith Lady Bears were preparing to go for their first state championship since 1990, their loyal fans gathered in the BJCC Arena to cheer them on.

The Keith faithful from Orrville and all around made the more than two hour trip to Birmingham for Friday’s Class 1A state championship game between Keith and Brantley high schools.

Though the Lady Bears fell 53-42 in the state final, fans said beforehand what a great thing it was for the community and the school to get to this point.

“It means a lot. It’s since about 1989 since the girls have been up here,” said DJ Mike, who provided musical entertainment for Keith home games throughout the season. “It means a lot to our school, our community.”

With Keith fans gathered behind the team’s bench draped in the school’s trademark blue and gold, Michael Gordon said the support for the Lady Bears was amazing, and the feeling indescribable.

“Words really can’t describe how I feel. Just the whole city of Orrville and all the fans coming out to support the girls and trying to win a championship, it just means a whole lot to the whole city of Orrville,” Gordon said. “I know a lot of the fans had to sacrifice and miss work, a lot of things like that, and had to make arrangements for their kids. A lot of them made this into a family event and they brought their kids out with them, so it’s just a great atmosphere to be here in the city of Birmingham.”

Joyce Bennett, who came from Orrville to support her two nieces on the team, said it was wonderful to follow the team to Birmingham, and it’s a great experience for the young team.

“It feels wonderful to see them get up here the first time,” Bennett said. “A lot of them hadn’t had the experience, some of them in seventh grade, but it’s going to be a real experience for them to be up here in Birmingham.”