Three months ago, Keaton Mayes and Isaac Seabaugh helped the Wellsville-Middletown boys cross country team accomplish some history.

The seniors helped the Tigers finish third in the Class 1 state meet, making it the first time that the W-M boys team placed in state competition.

On Feb. 11, the cross country team received a banner for its third-place finish at a ceremony before the W-M boys basketball game against Bowling Green.

“It was really cool,” Seabaugh said. “It was a great job from our faculty and everyone for doing that.”

Now, the senior duo is looking to help the W-M boys basketball team get a banner to be put on the walls at the school gymnasium.

“It will be really great,” Mayes said. “The cross country banner was something we didn’t dream of. We didn’t think it would be possible. A basketball banner is what we wanted since we started playing. That will be the ultimate reward.”

The Tigers begin their postseason at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23, when they play Jamestown  in a Class 1, District 10 semifinal game at Pilot Grove High School. W-M is looking to not only win its second straight district title, but also qualify for the Final Four for the first time since 1987.

The Tigers are the No. 1 seed in the six-team district tournament. A win in the semifinals will advance them to the championship game against either Higbee or Pilot Grove at 6 p.m. on Feb. 25.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Seabaugh said. “We have never been the No. 1 seed in my career, so that’s good. It’s good coming down to Class 1.”

Last year, W-M came up one win short of qualifying for the Class 2 Final Four as it lost to Salisbury in the state quarterfinals, which was held at Montgomery County High School. The team finished with 19 wins.

This season, the Tigers are enjoying another strong season. They will take a 16-6 record into their semifinal contest. Jamestown and Prairie Home were scheduled to square off in a quarterfinal game on Feb. 21.

After an 0-2 record, W-M bounced back with a seven-game winning streak and is guaranteed to finish with its second straight winning season. The Tigers won the Keytesville Tournament title and finished 5-4 in Eastern Missouri Conference play.

“I think we’re playing really well,” Mayes said.

Mayes has been out for several games due to an injury, but plans to return in districts. He was on the bench in the Tigers’ 47-43 win over Bowling Green in their home finale.

Seabaugh said he was happy that his team pulled off a win in the final home game of his high school basketball career. He finished with 17 points.

“It feels good, especially against a solid Bowling Green team,” Seabaugh said. “They’re a big football school. It means a lot to get a win in Homecoming.”

All 11 members of the boys cross country team, including Mayes and Seabaugh, had their names on the cross country banner. Three other basketball players – junior Jacob Mandrell and freshmen Gage Marshall and Hunter Bickell – also competed on the cross country squad.

“It’s nice,” Mayes said. “It’s always been a dream of mine and Isaac’s to have our names up on the wall so we can be remembered and we can leave our mark on the school. It’s nice to have that accomplished, but we would like to have a few more banners up there before our senior year is over.”

Mayes has played with the W-M program all four years. When he was a sophomore, he earned second-team all-Eastern Missouri Conference honors. In his freshman year, he helped his team win a district title.

“I love playing with this team,” Mayes said. “The team goes over game film and eats dinner together. Hanging out with the team is definitely the most fun part about it.”

Seabaugh also has been playing with the Tigers since he was a freshman. He said he can’t believe his basketball career at W-M is coming to an end.

“I’m going to miss it,” Seabaugh said. “I don’t want to think about it because it makes me really sad. But everything happens for a reason, so I’m trying to make the most of it with the time I have here.”