The Escambia County High School Blue Devils basketball squad got a standing ovation during Monday’s regular city council meeting after earning a trip to the state tournament’s Final Four in Birmingham for the second consecutive year.

“We’re all very proud of them and the way they represented us up there,” Mayor Jim Staff said of the team. “A lot of times when you send young men off, you have to worry about how they will act, but these young men’s behavior was beyond reproach.”

City Councilman, and former ECHS coach, Cornell Torrence, also praised the team’s efforts.

“I took teams to the first round of the tournament in 1983 and 2002,” Torrence said. “I was really hoping you boys would break my record, but I know you will go back and have a chance to win it all.”

Staff said he too is looking forward to continued success from the team that has now finished their first season under head coach Earlando Courtney, who won a state basketball championship in Greensboro, Ala.

“You have plenty of time,” Staff said. “I believe next year you can go right back and bring it all home this time.”

The Blue Devils fell to Madison County in a close, 71-68 loss in the Final Four, ending their season one game short of a state championship berth.