Students help make official Final Four court

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The energy inside Riverside Junior High’s auditorium was electric Wednesday afternoon. The 8th graders waited months to see how their trash would be transformed into treasure.

The kids got a chance to be involved in the making of the Final Four court. They were among the first to see parts of the official court that will be installed at Lucas Oil Stadium.

NCAA partnered with UPS, Connor Sports and hundreds of students in Fishers who agreed to place old water bottle caps in a recycle bin. Each week, the old plastic was shipped off to a manufacturing mill in Michigan. They turned the plastic into anchors that will keep the wood panels connected.

“This is really cool to know that I helped build this court. It feels good,” said 8th grade student Peter Hallam

H.L. Lewis is also in the 8th grade. He said, This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I feel like we are a part of history because this has never been done before.” Lewis said.

Another student shared how this year the Final Four will mean that much more.

“I feel proud that our garbage was put to good use. My dad and I like to watch the game together. This year will mean a lot more to me,” said 8th grade student Zoey Soehngen.

The 2015 NCAA Men’s Final Four is April 4 and 6.