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.
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.