When the basketball team of Dodge City High School in Kansas reached the finals of the 76th annual Tournament of Champions (TOC), little did they know that the drill team’s act would steal the show.
The moment Kansas sportswriter Sean Michael Boston shared the performance on his Facebook, it became an internet sensation.
It’s just that beautiful.
The routine’s popularity skyrocketed when the Sports in Kansas Facebook page featured it, amassing a staggering 1.6 million views.
Basketball might have been the main event, but the Drill Team ensured that the audience remained glued to their seats during the halftime break.
(For context, while regular high school games in Kansas have quarters, championship matches are split into two halves.)
Their act? Absolutely captivating.
This wasn’t the first time the Dodge City Drill Team dazzled at the Kansas TOC finals.
Turns out, they’re really good at captivating an audience with their talent.
One enthusiastic fan commented,
“Once again, DCHS Drill Team, you won TOC. The song, costumes, choreography, and voices were absolutely beautiful. So proud of each and every one of you and the hard work you put into every performance. You definitely made Dodge City proud!!!!”
Their performance was a breath of fresh air.
Instead of the usual high-energy tracks, they opted for a version of Leonard Cohen’s soulful “Hallelujah.”
The cherry on top? One of the team members sang it live, and her voice was pure magic.
Despite the melancholic tune, the audience was spellbound by their choreography.
A fusion of ballet and contemporary dance, the performers looked ethereal, dressed as angels with illuminated halos.
Their angelic costumes even seem to go with the song too – not just because it’s “Hallelujah,” but because it’s a religious version as well.
The highlight?
When the auditorium lights dimmed, and the LED lights held by the dancers lit up the space.
As the beat intensified, their dance moves became the focal point, even if their detailed footwork was obscured by the darkness.
The sight of them unfurling LED-lit butterfly wings added a whimsical touch, transforming the mood from somber to magical.
Local enthusiasts were eager to share some insights about the performance, emphasizing the diversity and community spirit of their district.
The Drill Team’s coach, Debbi Conrardy, received special mention, probably from a grateful parent, highlighting the excellence of the program at Dodge City High School.
A viewer wrote:
“DCHS drill team always has great TOC performances but this was spectacular and so beautiful. Love the song they chose and the vocals added so much. Great job ladies and Coach Conrardy!”
Conrardy didn’t miss out on the action; she uploaded her own video of the performance on YouTube, offering a bird’s-eye view.
This video alone garnered an additional 60K views!
Now, fans have the luxury of enjoying this mesmerizing performance from two unique perspectives.
Watch both videos below to enjoy their spectacular performance for yourself!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Wow, what a performance by the Dodge City High School Drill Team performing at halftime of the TOC Championship Game.
Video: Sean Michael Boston
Posted by Sports in Kansas on Saturday, January 19, 2019
