GREENSBORO, N.C. — In the final seconds of the basketball game, the crowd explodes as Guilford College forward Tyler Dearman makes the game-winning layup against Christopher Newport over the weekend.
Winning it 50 to 48.
Guilford College students like Ryan Garmendiz are still fired up over the victory.
"It was a crazy atmosphere," Garmendiz said. "Tyler coming down with the layup at the end. It was an up-and-down game. It was a really good game."
We caught up with Dearman at practice following the win that'll take the team to the Final Four.
"The feeling is surreal. I can't believe it. It's what we've been practicing for since October 15th," said Dearman. "It's amazing to be in this position. "
The team took some pictures with their Sectional Championship trophy.
In celebration, head Coach Tom Palombo cut down the net.
"It was a great atmosphere. It wasn't about the Guilford men's basketball team," Palombo said. "It was about the community and our students. We're excited to head out to Fort Wayne."
The community is ready to follow the team to Fort Wayne to take on Hampden-Sydney in the NCAA Division Three semifinals on Thursday.
The last time the team made it this far was in 2010.
"So, we're making the big 9-hour trip to support the Quakers," said senior Jennifer Sari. "We've been along for the ride all 4 years. We're happy to see them in our final year make it this far."
Sari said she's glad she gets to experience this before graduating.
"We want to be there and support our fellow classmates all the way through hopefully to the championship," Sari said.
Players are hoping to do the same.
"That would be the icing on the cake. The cherry on top to bring a championship title back to the city that Tyler and I were born and raised in," said Guilford College men's basketball forward Julius Burch. "All the hard work we put in since junior year at Southern Guilford."
The team said they have their head in the game and are focused on winning on Thursday and earning a spot in the title game on Saturday.
"Everyone has the same goal in mind," Dearman said. "Bring back something Sunday."