Daytona Beach throws a parade for Mainland's state champs

The city of Daytona Beach honored the state champion Mainland High School girls basketball team with a parade through downtown on Thursday, April 20.

"Mayor Derrick Henry wanted to do a parade to celebrate the accomplishments of the girls basketball team and our other programs," Mainland athletic director Terry Anthony said.

The Mainland High School Champs Parade started at the Brown & Brown Insurance building on North Beach Street with over 50 school and community organizations riding in vehicles and walking behind banners to Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The girls basketball team rode in the back of a Daytona Beach Police Department high water rescue vehicle.

The crowd that lined the streets followed the participants into the ballpark for a ceremony. Girls basketball coach Brandon Stewart, Henry, Principal Joseph Castelli and Anthony were among the speakers.

Stewart led the Bucs to the school's first-ever girls basketball championship. The city also honored Mainland's football and boys basketball teams, which were both state runners-up, and wrestlers Cheyenne Wigley and Mya Hill who won medals at the state girls wrestling championships.

City commissioners, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young and Volusia County Schools Superintendent Carmen Balgobin participated in the festivities.