We weren’t exactly roughing it. There was pizza, pasta, pop and dessert. There was tons of conversation and a few embellished sports stories. And the chairs were comfortable.

But even in this setting, far away from where the action was actually happening, there was an air of anticipation. There was an excitement, the “I can’t wait for this game” feeling circulating through the room.

The circumstances weren’t what any preferred. But there was a reluctant acceptance. Rather than cheering in-person, they did so by watching the game on-line.

Those in attendance included Stacy Schuette, mother of Jacob Stoneburner; Chad and Stephanie Thompson, parents of Nate Thompson; Jason and Abra Woomer, parents of Chase Woomer; Brad and Susan Logan, parents of Jakob Logan; and David and Angie Wolfe, parents of Parker Wolfe.

These five boys have been friends since grade school. They have done a lot of things together through the years, from basketball and football to hunting to Frisbee golf to even spotting for one nutty kid that thinks he wants to be a bull rider.

In fact, three of the dads – Chad Thompson, Jason Woomer and David Wolfe – have coached them in basketball for many of those years.

But these boys aren’t all alike. They have different personalities, take different subjects in school and have their own special outside interests. But friends they are – and making a safe guess about the future – friends they will always be.

And they, like their parents, were simply happy their final high school basketball season wasn’t cancelled due to the pandemic. Even though the season was shortened and there was always the fear of a positive test that would shut things down for a bit, the Hearts persevered.

But not everyone was convinced the season would even start, much less finish.

“I actually didn’t think they’d play this year, especially after the IHSA first said ‘yes’ and then pulled it all back,” David Wolfe admitted.

“I thought the season would be cancelled,” Susan Logan added. “It was disappointing to even think about.”

“But once the season started, I thought they would finish,” Brad Logan said. “It was the same with starting school. I thought if they got the first game in, they’d finish the season.”

But because of that uncertainty, there were reports of some high school players that transferred to schools in other states that didn’t shut down. One starter from last year’s Effingham squad did that and others at least thought about it.

“We talked about getting an apartment in Terre Haute so Nate could play in Indiana. We gave him the option,” Chad Thompson explained. “But he’s played with these kids for so long, he wanted to stay here and play with his friends.”

The season did finally get underway in February, but again, nothing was normal – especially going to the home games. Only 50 masked fans were allowed and that was mostly just parents. No pep band. There wasn’t even a jump ball to start the game. And there was no popcorn.

“It was so quiet,” Stacy Schuette said. “I didn’t realize how much goes on until it wasn’t there.”

“Normally when we play T-Town, the gym is filled and everyone gets pumped up,” Stephanie Thompson added.

“It just didn’t feel right. It’s not the way it’s supposed to be,” Chad Thompson continued.

“It was a different atmosphere,” Jason Woomer explained. “The refs could hear me yell at them this year.”

But at least the parents got to attend the home games. When their sons were playing on the road, they either listened to the radio or watched a live stream of the game. Those online broadcasts were far from perfect, but at least the parents and fans had something to watch.

Like they did March 5.

At tip-off, everybody was seated and somewhat relaxed. The Hearts jumped out to a quick lead, but Lincoln got within four points at the end of the first quarter and neither team led by more than four the rest of the game.

Overall, the parents were fairly quiet and reserved during the first half. But as the second half unfolded and the game remained extremely close, it became more and more tense.

Before long, there were yells and cheers. Hands were wringing over a bad shot or turnover and clapping when the good guys scored or grabbed a rebound.

Fists were pumping in the air, both in positive response to an Effingham basket and a different type of reaction when the referee made a call they didn’t agree with. There were several of those less than family-friendly comments over a few calls or non-calls in the final minutes of the game.

But for about 30 minutes, it was almost like being at the gym. We were all living and dying with every play, every shot and every time the whistle blew. And when the Hearts fell behind by four points in the fourth period, it didn’t look real promising.

But Parker scored seven straight points to put them ahead, Stonie had a big basket in the final minute and Nate made four “nothing-but-net” pressure-packed free throws in the waning seconds to secure the victory and put the Hearts in the driver’s seat for a conference championship.

Everybody was standing, screaming, clapping, hugging and giving high-fives. Chad and Stephanie Thompson even had a celebratory kiss. Their kids were 110 miles away, but each parent was celebrating with them in spirit. For this group and this season, especially since the post-season was cancelled, an Apollo Conference title was just about all they had to play for.

So when that final buzzer sounded, this group of senior-led Hearts was close to standing on the pinnacle.

“And I really believe these kids also had a chance to win a regional this year,” David Wolfe said. “But winning the Apollo will be especially huge.”

So the Year of COVID has created some additional memories, for both the parents and their sons.

“Jacob is having a good time,” Stacy admitted. “I can see him having fun when he’s playing. And he always comes home in a good mood.”

“Nate never regretted staying here,” the Thompsons said. “It’s a shame they didn’t have a post-season, but these boys now have a chance to win the conference in both basketball and football, which is a goal they set for themselves. He is so glad he got to share this with his friends.”

“Chase knows his role on this team,” Abra and Jason Woomer said together. “But he loves Obie Farmer and he loves being with his buddies. He loves making memories with these kids.”

 “It’s been an unusual season, that’s for certain,” Brad and Susan Logan said. “I think the boys have handled themselves real well. In fact, I think they handled it better than the adults. They just took it in stride.”

“Our kids love their friends,” Angie Wolfe noted. “This is exactly how they would have wanted their season to end. Doing this together.”

One regret, however?

“They won’t get to experience beating T-Town and Lincoln in front of a full house,” Dave Wolfe added.

Abra Woomer just might have summed it up the best.

“They’ve been playing together forever. It’s a brotherhood.”

(The following week, the Hearts clinched the Apollo Conference championship. They finished their season with a 17-1 overall record and 13-1 in the conference.)