They are professional businesswomen, mothers and wives now. But the members of Rossville’s 1986 basketball team, one of the last in that school’s history, also have another claim.
They are the last girls’ basketball team from our northwestern Georgia area to have claimed a state championship. Dade County and Dalton have each finished runner-up twice, and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe and Northwest Whitfield have each lost in a final once since Rossville’s title.
And tonight, between the boys’ and girls’ games at Ridgeland High, each player, coach and manager from that celebrated team will step onto the court once again, this time to be honored.
Rossville High closed its doors after the 1990 school year, its students consolidating with those from Chattanooga Valley to make up Ridgeland High. Tonight’s ceremony should be more than just a few moments for fans to applaud that 26-year-old accomplishment.
Like other small communities in our area, once the high school closed, the town of Rossville lost much of its identity and spirit. Sadly, even the sign that once stood near the town’s courthouse proclaiming the Lady Bulldogs’ state championship is no longer there. So tonight is a chance for the entire Rossville community, former students and supporters, to fill Ridgeland’s gym, puff out their collective chest with pride and relive the memorable moments, because that’s what made seasons like the Lady Bulldogs’ 1986 title run so special.