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Yates High School received the 2013 and 2014 Conference 3A Boys Basketball State Championship trophies on Tuesday. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) awarded the titles to Yates after they were forfeited by Dallas Independent School District’s Madison High School in August.

“This is a really exciting day. It means a lot for the community and the school,” Coach Greg Wise said.

“It just took hard work and dedication and no days off,” player JC Washington said. “Coach preaches if you don’t have a heart, you can’t play for him. Everyone on the team had the heart and will to go after it, and we got it.”

While the Lions are happy to have the titles, they’re mourning one of the players from both title teams. Artreal Jones, who graduated in May, passed away on Aug. 7 while playing recreational basketball with some of his classmates. His family attended the celebration to accept his medals.

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The Lions made it to the state championship game for the second year in a row earlier this year but fell short with an 82-70 loss to Madison. The team lost to Madison in 2013 by a score of 85-72. Yates also competed for the state championship in 2009, 2010, and 2012. The program won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.