Gainesville High School basketball fans were able to take a trip back in time Friday as the school honored the 2002 Leopards boys basketball team that won the Class 3A State championship.

Eight of the players from that year's team were able to make it back for a 10-year reunion of the first and only State championship in GHS basketball history.

The team was honored during halftime of Gainesville's 47-45 win over the Sanger Indians. Players in attendance included J.R. Harrison, Kyle Searcy, Larry Wilson, Mitchell Franklin, Robert Franklin, Alvin Thomas and Brandon Manuel.

The Leopards finished the 2001-02 season with a record of 29-6, defeating Crandall, Forney, Pittsburg, Everman, Aransas Pass and Kountze in the playoffs on the way to the title. Four of the five members of the All-Tournament team in Austin were from Gainesville including Searcy, Harrison, Thomas and Chauncey Purvey. It was only the second time in the history of the State tournament that four players from one team were named to the All-Tournament team.

Harrison, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and went on to play at Rice University, says it was good to come back and reconnect with his former teammates.

"Some of these guys I haven't seen since we got out of school," he said. "It's good to see all the familiar faces."

Both Manuel and Peters agreed.

"It feels good just seeing everybody," Manuel said. "We haven't seen everybody in a while. It brings back a lot of memories with all the crazy stuff that used to go on with that whole season."

"It's cool. I haven't seen all these guys in a while," Peters added. "It's good to get back and come watch the high school team play. It's nice. It makes me want to be back in high school again and play."

The 2002 team was coached by Hosea Lee, who is now the coach at Class A Roxton. His assistants were Randy Romines and Bill Price.

Both Thomas and Harrison were named All-State in 2002. In fact, Harrison was an All-State selection for three-straight years (2000-02).

Harrison not only played Division I ball at Rice, he has played professionally overseas for the past several years. But no matter where the game has taken him, he still thinks back to that special 2002 season.

"I just remember the whole journey," Harrison said. "I look back now from all the teams I've been on, and this is the best team I've been on as far as the closeness. Most of us grew up together. I just enjoyed every moment with these guys."

In addition to being recognized at the game, the team enjoyed a pre-game meal from Dieter Brothers Restaurant.