The games began Thursday as high schools from across the state head to Lincoln for the boys basketball tournament. Intensity is high from players, parents, and the fans, but there's something special about this year.

The teamwork and passion the high schoolers apply towards basketball is evident, as they cap their season with a trip to the state basketball tournament. One of the morning games Thursday was Ralston taking on Adams Central.

"We're here to support the Rams so we can get a repeat title this year, because I believe it's the 100th year for the basketball thing and we want to be the 100th team to win it," said Dylan Belter, a Senior from Ralston High School.

"It's historical and Beatrice, I think, won it the first year, and we beat them last year for state, so we hope to see them again in the title game," said Belter.

Belter and his classmates dressed up for the game to cheer on their team. "I'm dressed as our head coach, who is bald, so I brought my bald cap."

Others came with a milder appreciation for the game. "First time I came was in 1968, when my home town played down here in the state tournament," said Randy Anderson of South Sioux City.

Anderson and his wife, Jean, have been coming to the tournament for years. "We're tickled as always here, we enjoy basketball, and we're going to watch a lot of games, not just our team," said Jean.

Another supporter of all the teams is Esther Busboom, who's been working the tournament for 15 years. "There's more people I think, and the small towns especially, the whole town comes," said Busboom.

She said amazingly many things have stayed the same throughout the tournament. However, others have changed, like the technology kids now have available to them. Busboom handed back two cell phones from high school students who gave them to her while they ran into the tournament for a moment. "Kids! You have to have some collateral to make sure they leave!" said Busboom.

The tournament continues through the weekend, with the championship games being played on Saturday at the Devaney Center.

Ralston won their first game, 54 to 42 against Adams Central.