By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - If you thought Niles didn't have any state champions in basketball this year, think again.
While most basketball players in the area hung up their jerseys and have started focusing on other sports or activities, the Southside Vipers were focusing on a state championship, and they got it!
The Vipers traveled to the Michigan Special Olympics state finals held at Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids this past weekend and beat two teams to claim the championship trophy.
Southside went into double overtime in the first game against the Goldwings and ended up winning by three, 40-37.
David Stomp led the Vipers in scoring with 13 points. Chris Austin had 11 points, Justin Beall had seven, Zack Klutts had six and Doug Schneider had three.
In the second game the Vipers faced the Roughriders and claimed the 36-28 win and the state title.
Stomp again led his team with 19 points. Austin and Beall both had eight and Schneider had one for Southside.
Before heading to state, Southside had to win districts, which were held at Northwest High School in Jackson on March 5.
The team defeated Blazers Varsity in the first game 33-23 and won a very exciting and intense second game which came down to a last second free throw 32-31.
Klutts was fouled with nine seconds left as both teams were tied at 31. Klutts made one free throw to give them the one point victory and advance them to the state finals.
Southside started its regualr season in March and had three regular season games. The team's overall record was 6-1, going 2-1 in regular season play.
Southside competes in the Special Olympics in Michigan and has had a basketball program at the school for approximetly 15 years.
The school displays all of its trophies that have been won in a trophy case, with some dating back to 1994.
Along with basketball the school has a track and field program, which is more focused on individuals.
The Vipers will be back in action full force next year as they are only losing one senior.