Putnam Academy named Division I basketball champs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It was a proud day for coaches and players from Springfield's Putnam Academy boy’s basketball team

They're the best in the state.

They are the Division I Massachusetts Basketball Champions.

And today, they received thanks from a grateful city.

The players told 22News that this title is especially meaningful this year.

"It was great because we just opened our new school. We won our first championship in our new school," Ki-Shwan Monroe, a member of the Putnam Academy team told 22News.

Carlos Gonzalez, another member of the team explained to 22News, "I want kids to look up to me; I look up to kids who are older than me. I have to do right in school; academically I have to do great."

Since Monroe and Gonzalez are both still sophomores, they're hoping to repeat this year's championship season.