First Preparatory Christian Academy students, faculty and staff turned out to celebrate their state championship basketball team Wednesday morning.

Along with marking the school’s golden anniversary, the FPCA honored the GIAA Class A boys state champion Highlanders basketball team.

“I couldn’t do it without these super guys right here,” head coach Shane Smith said of his team. “This group was a special group.”

The Highlanders finished 18-5 and defeated Citizens Christian Academy 59-48 in the state championship game. CCA beat FPCA 51-50 in overtime for the Region 6A championship.

“I said it then, ‘we’re going to win the state championship,’” Coach Smith said.

Smith also offered his gratitude for assistant coach David Linderman, who has been with the school for 20 years.

There are 166 schools in the GIAA and 81,500 students in those schools.

“You are looking at the best of the best right here in Hinesville at FPCA,” said Gladwin Harper, the head of school at FPCA.

The state championship was the second under Smith in his 11 years at the school. FPCA also has won five region titles during that time.

“We’ll be back next year,” Smith declared.