For supporters of Duncanville and South Oak Cliff high schools, winning the Class 5A and 4A boys basketball state championships, respectively, means more than just adding hardware to already bulging trophy cases.

BOB PEARSON/Special ContributorSouth Oak Cliff basketball team members celebrated in the final minutes of the championship win over Beaumont Ozen High on Saturday.

The championships are a source of pride and honor for both southern Dallas County communities, giving them a chance to stick out their collective chests.

Duncanville's victory Saturday over Kingwood gave the school its third state championship and added to the image of a town that calls itself the "City of Champions."

And South Oak Cliff's win over Beaumont Ozen the same day was the fifth state title for the Golden Bears and third in a row and has supporters talking about yet another trip to Austin next year.

Duncanville athletic director Kevin Ozee said athletes, school officials and residents all "pride ourselves on having high expectations. We're fortunate that people here love athletics and come out to support the teams."

Mr. Ozee said good character on the part of the players is one of the primary reasons, he thinks, that the community loves this state championship team.

SOC boys basketball coach James Mays II said the state championships his squad brings home add something to the everyday lives of those who live around the school.

"We have a large number of low-income families," Mr. Mays said. "Some of our families are just living day to day. Seeing the kids from the community do well sets a good tone for the community."

Mr. Mays said the school, which is on spring break this week, will hold a neighborhood parade and another celebratory event when students and faculty return.

SOC athletic director Barbara Brown-McCoy said that in addition to prestige for the school, earning a state title affords the players additional opportunities on both the athletic and academic fronts.

"It opens a lot of doors for those athletes," said Ms. Brown-McCoy, a former Olympian who was a member of the 1977 SOC girls state championship team. "They have a chance to get a free education."

Lynn Shortnacy, a 1967 Duncanville High graduate who recently retired from the NCAA officiating ranks, said the Duncanville state title gives "people something to talk about around the coffee shops."

Many of those people will likely turn out when the school hosts some sort of event to recognize the state champions. Tammy Kuykendall, Duncanville school district communications director, said a reception or parade or both will be held later. As in Dallas, Duncanville schools are on spring break this week.

Longtime Duncanville businessman Steve Martin said that to him, the Panthers are champions both on - and off - the court. And that, he said, means a lot.

"I stayed in the same [Austin] hotel where the players were and I never heard a peep out of them," Mr. Martin said of the undefeated Panthers, who this week were named the nation's top prep team by HoopsUSA.com. "They're well-behaved and courteous.

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