The year was 1996. Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympic Games, Bill Clinton was re-elected President, O.J. Simpson endured a civil trial and the Macarena was the dance craze.
That also was the last year the Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe boys’ basketball program won a region tournament championship – until this week.
The 24-year drought ended Monday when the youthful Warriors upset GHSA Region 6-AAA regular-season champ North Murray, 58-47, with the Mountaineers hosting the matchup in Chatsworth. It was the culmination of a resurgent second season under coach Josh Laney that has brought a sense of pride to the school and the community.
After all, when you’ve had an entire generation come and go without tasting a title, well, expectations often match the results.
Since the Warriors won the crown, Laney has seen and heard from former LFO players and students about just how much sports success can mean.