Mountain City Lions Claim 4A State Championship Led by Ridgeway Family

In just two years, the Ridgeway family has helped put the Lions back on top of the 4A division.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with overlapping planes of navy blue, gold, and white representing the energy and teamwork of the Mountain City Lions.The Ridgeway family's championship run with the Mountain City Lions showcases the power of shared passion and family bonds in elevating an entire team.Mountain City Today

The Mountain City Lions won the 4A state championship, led by junior guard Brooklynn Ridgeway and her father, head coach Lonnie Ridgeway. Brooklynn scored 22 points in the championship game to help the Lions defeat the Bartlett Golden Bears 55-45. The Ridgeway family's coaching and leadership has been instrumental in the Lions' success over the past two seasons, culminating in their third 4A state title.

Why it matters

The Ridgeway family's championship run highlights the power of family bonds and a shared passion for the game. Their story demonstrates how a coach-player relationship between a father and daughter can drive a team to new heights, even in a short period of time. The Lions' success also reflects the strength of their program's culture and the dedication of the entire coaching staff.

The details

Brooklynn Ridgeway joined the Mountain City Lions as a freshman in 2023, just as the team was coming off back-to-back championships. In her junior season, Ridgeway stepped up as a leader, scoring 22 points in the 4A state championship game to lead the Lions to a 55-45 victory over the Bartlett Golden Bears. Ridgeway's performance capped off a remarkable two-year turnaround for the program under the guidance of her father, Lonnie Ridgeway, who is in his second season as the Lions' head coach.

  • Brooklynn Ridgeway joined the Mountain City Lions as a freshman in 2023.
  • The Lions won the 4A state championship on March 30, 2026.

The players

Brooklynn Ridgeway

A 5'7" junior guard for the Mountain City Lions who scored 22 points in the 4A state championship game to lead her team to victory.

Lonnie Ridgeway

The head coach of the Mountain City Lions and Brooklynn Ridgeway's father. He previously won two state championships as the head coach at Heritage Christian and played at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 2006 to 2012.

Keelie Kronberger

A senior teammate of Brooklynn Ridgeway who helped lead the Mountain City Lions to back-to-back championships before Ridgeway joined the team.

Sayvia Sellers

A former player for the Mountain City Lions who helped the team win back-to-back championships before Brooklynn Ridgeway joined the team.

Jasmine Schaeffer

A teammate of Brooklynn Ridgeway who has been a big part of her basketball journey and success.

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What they’re saying

“Keely and Jasmine [Schaeffer], they've been a big part of my basketball journey and all my success. I really wanted to win this for them.”

— Brooklynn Ridgeway, Junior Guard, Mountain City Lions

“I feel like I just went into this with a different level of head on me. I just really wanted to win this, and I didn't want to feel like how I felt last year in the semis when we lost. I'm glad that I could help my team out by winning this.”

— Brooklynn Ridgeway, Junior Guard, Mountain City Lions

“As a father, throughout the years, time goes by so quick that I know that I get two hours a day, whether or not she's mad at me, but we're in the same room, working on the same thing, going in the same direction, so it's been a blessing.”

— Lonnie Ridgeway, Head Coach, Mountain City Lions

“She's been a good guard, but her work off the court has been consistent throughout. A lot of players, they work out and they get these shots up and they get thousands of reps and they don't know what moment that they're working for. They're just getting reps hoping that a moment comes. It's very cool that all the moment of all her reps came in came into today in the championship.”

— Lonnie Ridgeway, Head Coach, Mountain City Lions

What’s next

The Mountain City Lions will look to defend their 4A state championship next season, with Brooklynn Ridgeway and the Ridgeway family leading the way.

The takeaway

The Ridgeway family's championship run with the Mountain City Lions demonstrates the power of family bonds, shared passion, and a strong team culture in driving a program to new heights. Their story is an inspiring example of how a coach-player relationship between a father and daughter can elevate an entire team.