Nathan Hale Basketball Team Gifted New Sneakers By Anonymous Donors

The Nathan Hale boys' basketball team won the regional championship in February for the first time since 1998.

Some donors are celebrating the Rangers’ hard work by doing something good for the team.

A sneaky surprise took place March 22 at Silhouette Sneakers and Art in the Greenwood District.

"Some donors in the community respect what we've done here at Hale,” head coach Daniel McChesney told the team. “They want to reward you guys in a way. You guys are going to get to pick out a pair of sneakers and take home.”

All three coaches and 15 players were gifted limited edition sneakers.

"I appreciate it,” said junior Jeremiah Cogan. “I never thought really anyone would ever do that or even want to do that."

Owner, Venita Cooper, said she teamed up with some anonymous donors to make this surprise happen.

"I've always had a real love for kids, and to be able to give back to schools in this way was just really amazing,” said Cooper.

The unexpected field trip is also building an even stronger bond between players and coaches.

“They've just been a wonderful, wonderful group of kids, considering the circumstances they come from and what they were able to accomplish with us,” said assistant coach Felix Echevarria. “It's been a wonderful year."

The Rangers won 20 games for the first time since '98, including 13 wins in a row, which is a school record.

McChesney said the boys worked hard to win and win over people with misconceptions.

"They've flipped on its head a version of Nathan Hale that had a stigma of maybe failure, a stigma of poor performance, not just the basketball team,” said McChesney.

While the gift of the expensive collector's sneakers is great, the lesson on kindness is worth even more.

"I want to thank everybody for the opportunity,” said sophomore Damario Adams. “Someday, hopefully, I'll give back to the community."

The team now has an extra pep in their step and is looking ahead to next season.

Cooper plans to frame the group photo they took and put the basketball the team signed on display to remind her and others of this special day.