The Montgomery County girls and boys basketball teams got a big treat before they headed to Sedalia for their Class 3 sectional games on March 2.

They found out they were going to ride on a charter bus to the Pettis County town.

“Getting on that charter bus was really cool,” MCHS boys basketball coach Scott Kroeger said.

The teams rode the bus during a community sendoff rally that was held throughout the Montgomery City area. The bus went through Montgomery County Middle School, the four-way stop in Montgomery City, Montgomery City Elementary School and Immaculate Conception School.

In each of those stops, numerous people were holding signs and wishing the teams luck in their sectional games.

“Having the kids out there waving during the drive by, that was pretty awesome,” Kroeger said.

The Wellsville-Middletown boys basketball team also had strong community support before traveling to Kirksville to compete in the Class 1 state quarterfinal game against North Shelby on March 5. More than 50 fans showed up at Reed Park in Wellsville during a sendoff rally.

“We all had a sendoff in every game, whether it’s the district finals, the Sweet 16 or the Elite Eight,” said Jacob Mandrell, a member of the W-M boys basketball team. “Our fans are the best.”

The MCHS girls and boys basketball teams were eliminated by Tipton and Cole Camp, respectively, in sectional play. It’s the first time in school history that both teams played in the sectional round on the same day. Both teams won district championships on Feb. 26.

“That accomplishment happening in the same year is pretty unique,” Kroeger said. “Hats off to the players for being able to pull that off.”

The W-M boys basketball team defeated North Shelby 66-59 in the state quarterfinals to earn its first Final Four berth in 35 years. The Tigers will play Stanberry in the state semifinals at 8 p.m. on March 11 in Springfield.

During the drive to Sedalia, the MCHS teams stopped at Cosmopolitan Park in Columbia for a pre-game meal.

When the boys and girls arrived at Smith-Cotton High School, they got huge fan support.

“There were so many people in this gym,” said senior Sam Queathem, a member of the MCHS girls basketball team. “They had to travel. It’s a two-hour drive and the students didn’t get out of school until 4 o’clock. So these people really worked hard to get here. They’re always very supportive. It means a lot to us, especially for a small community.”

MCHS freshman Tyler Erwin said he was amazed that he got to play in front of a large number of Wildcat fans.

“I actually have never played with a crowd like that before,” Erwin said. “When I was shooting my free throws, I kind of felt it. The experience was phenomenal.”

W-M had a large number of fans attending the state quarterfinal contest against North Shelby. Senior Isaac Seabaugh said he was happy with the fans making the two-hour drive up north to see the team play.

“It’s great,” Seabaugh said. “We have an amazing support system. I couldn’t have asked for anything better from a small community.”